Composite from the Church Committee Hearings, Vol. 6 pp. 370-371
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COINTELPRO -- Misc Category (1966-1971)
Black Bag Jobs The following is set forth in regard to your request concerning what authority we have for "black bag" jobs and for the background of our policy and procedures in such matters. We do not obtain authorization for "black bag" jobs from outside the Bureau. Such a technique involves trespass and is clearly illegal; therefore, it would be impossible to obtain any legal sanction for it. Despite this, "black bag" jobs have been used because they represent an invaluable technique in combating subversive activities of a clandestine nature aimed directly at undermining and destroying our nation. The present procedure followed in the use of this technique calls for the Special Agent in Charge of a field office to make his request for the use of the technique to the appropriate Assistant Director. The Special Agent in Charge must completely justify the need for the use of the technique and at the same time assure that it can be safely used without any danger or embarrassment to the Bureau. The facts are incorporated in a memorandum which, in accordance with the Director's instructions, is sent to Mr. Tolson or to the Director for approval. Subsequently this memorandum is filed in the Assistant Director's office under a "Do Not File" procedure. In the field the Special Agent in Charge prepares an informal memorandum showing that he obtained Bureau authority and this memorandum is filed in his safe until the next inspection by Bureau Inspectors, at which time it is destroyed. W.C. Sullivan to C.D. DeLoach, July 19, 1966
Use of the Cactus Indicator The cryptonym CACTUS has been assigned as a teletype action indicator covering teletype communications between this Agency and your Bureau dealing with the New Left, Black Militants and related matters. Use of this indicator will facilitate prompt and effective action on such communications by this Agency. Director CIA to Director FBI, April 22, 1970
COIINTELPRO's Discontinued To afford additional security to our sensitive techniques and operations, it is recommended that the COINTELPROS operated by the Domestic Intelligence Division be discontinued. [emphasis added] C.D. Brennan to W.C. Sullivan, April 27, 1971
Effective immediately, all COINTELPROS operated by this Bureau are discontinued. These include:
COINTELPRO -- EspionageDirector to all Field Offices, April 28, 1971
COINTELPRO -- New Left
COINTELPRO -- Disruption of White Hate Groups
COINTELPRO -- Communist Party, USA
Counterintelligence and Special Operations
COINTELPRO -- Black Extremists
Socialist Workers Party -- Disruption Program