Statement on the Killing of Patrick Dorismond

New York, March 17, 2000 -- Patrick Dorismond, a 26 year-old Haitian-American resident of New York City, was shot to death yesterday, March 16, 2000, in a scuffle with a police officer. Preliminary reports indicate that Mr. Dorismond, offended that he had been identified as a drug dealer by a man who appeared to be a petty hoodlum, exchanged a few choice words with that man. The latter turned out to be a cop, who called for reinforcement by using a code phrase that told his colleagues that he was in danger. Detective Anthony Vasquez has been identified as the killer.

The killing of Mr. Dorismond is one killing too many. Our sympathies go to his family, in particular to his children Destiny and Infinity who will now be robbed of the love of their father.

Responding to the news of the latest senseless killing by an officer under his watch, Police Commissioner Howard Safir added pain to injury by painting Mr. Dorismond as a low-life. "He has a criminal record," Safir said at a press conference. His portrayal of the victim was immediately challenged by the Brooklyn DA’s office and Dorismond’s friends and relatives.

We are outraged that Mr. Safir stooped to using character assassination as the first line of defense to explain away the senseless killing. We believe that Commissioner Safir owes the Dorismond family, the Haitian community, and the law-abiding citizens of New York a prompt apology.

In addition to calling for a swift, thorough, and non-partisan investigation into this matter, we are also calling on the Mayor and the Police Commissioner to review the aggressive policing tactics that are causing alarm in our communities. As borne out by this latest killing, these tactics transform every encounter with undercover police officers into a potentially deadly tragedy. Clearly there is a need for reforms that clearly place a premium on better police training, improved relations with citizens of New York, and community control.