Another death, another injustice in New York

When Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), civil rights and civil liberties groups recently gathered on Capitol Hill to unveil legislation aimed at restoring confidence in police departments, they clearly stated their aim was to curb police abuses, not attack all police officers.

It�s a shame that victims of police actions don�t get the same benefit of the doubt. Mayor Rudolph Guiliani, of New York, angered many when he had NYPD�s police commissioner release the criminal records of Patrick Dorismond, a Black man fatally shot March 16, by an undercover police officer. Mayor Guiliani said the public had the right to know about the man�s past record, though police had no idea who he was, or what he had ever been accused of when they approached him asking about drugs.

The 26-year-old man had juvenile charges, which never went to court, a 1993 assault charge and attempted robbery charge, and a 1996 criminal possession of a hand gun charge. In both cases, Mr. Dorismond pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and performed community service. So why did the mayor release the records?

It appears to be part of a constant strategy used whenever officers are accused of misconduct, especially when a death occurs. The standard operating procedure in such cases seems to be plaster the media with any charges the victim ever faced, highlight any testimony that might hint that the victim was actually the aggressor, and start to make people side with the officer involved.

On the other hand, police unions, contracts and favorable media coverage shield officers, whose names are often withheld while cases move forward.

So while every infraction the victim ever committed is broadcast near and far, the officer�s record remains anonymous, enoying offered by the protection offered by the police union, the media and police officials.

The tactic is racist and perpetuates the tension that exists between cops and the communities they patrol. It shows that city administrators and officials, like Mr. Guiliani, don�t want the truth; they want to dictate outcomes and exonerate officers no matter what they do. They don�t want to give justice and fairness, which bring peace. And in not standing for justice and fairness, leaders like Mr. Guiliani only feed a growing anger and fear that was shown with the explosion in Los Angeles following the Rodney King verdict.

Will it take an explosion and riots in the streets for Mayor Guiliani to understand what is happening in his city?

The Dorismond death comes on the heels of the third fatal police shooting in just over a year. Amadou Diallo, the first victim, was struck 19 times when officers fired 40 bullets. He, like Mr. Dorismond, was unarmed. His trial was moved to Albany, N.Y., where the officers were acquitted. New Yorkers wondered if the Big Apple could survive an acquittal, without going up in flames, but the real question is how long can any city, or nation, survive with blind leadership?