NATIONAL BLACK POLICE ASSOCIATION STATEMENT

PRESS RELEASE

SHOOTING DEATH OF OFFICER OMAR EDWARDS

MAY 29, 2009, 1127AM

The shooting death of NYC Officer Omar Edwards may be only hours old; however, the known facts thus far combined with the police experience possessed by members of the National Black Police Association (NBPA) reveal that the shooter, Officer Andrew Dutton, was reckless and shot without identifying himself as a policeman and worse, failing to give Officer Edwards a chance to drop his weapon.  As has been the case in all shootings of black officers by white officers ---by example the shooting of Officer Ridley in Westchester and the shooting of Officer Young in Providence, the shooting officers recklessly mistake black officers to be criminals and then commence fire without warning.  This shoot first and ask questions later  behavior clashes with the caution and protocol that we as police officers are supposed to undertake when confronting individuals with guns.  Furthermore, consider that coroner’s report shows that Edwards was shot in the back.  Consider that Dutton’s weapon is limited to a three round burst.  Six to seven rounds were fired.  This means that Dutton pulled the trigger at least twice.  By the end of burst—Dutton had to know he was aiming at a man’s back and wrongfully firing his weapon.  Two other officers  were with Dutton, yet Dutton was the only shooter.  Lastly, after Dutton shot Edwards----Edwards  was handcuffed and lay dying in his blood.  The officers rendered no assistance to their dying black comrade.  It was not until the paramedics arrived that  Edwards was tended to.   Without significant efforts by the New York City Police Department who to cause officers  to be more open minded, there will be many black officers killed by fellow officers. Writer & Member:  Christopher Cooper:  312 371 6752 (E-mail: cooperlaw3234@gmail.com);  Executive Director:  Ronald Hampton,  202 744 2897  (NBPANATOFC@worldnet.att.net)   National Chairperson:  John Hayes

National Black Police Association
30 Kennedy Street-NW, Suite 101
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 986-2070     (202) 986-0410 FAX
mail to: nbpanatofc@worldnet.att.net