Group calls for Kelly to resign after man killed by cop

The group 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care are calling for the resignation of Police Commissioner Ray Kelly after an unarmed man was killed by an off-duty officer Friday. The group is issuing a

News 12 Staff

May 23, 2007, 12:59 AM

Updated 6,349 days ago

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The group 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care are calling for the resignation of Police Commissioner Ray Kelly after an unarmed man was killed by an off-duty officer Friday.
The group is issuing a vote of no confidence to Kelly. They say they blame him for failing to stop a pattern of police violence against unarmed men that began with the killing of Amadou Diallo in 1999.
Police said Officer Raphael Lora witnessed Fermin Arzu, 41, hit a parked car with his minivan Friday and drive off. According to police, Lora told Arzu to stop but he kept driving. They say the officer then fired at Arzu, killing him.
100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care point to a passage in the NYPD Patrol Guide that says police are not allowed to fire weapons at a moving vehicle unless deadly force is being used against them. The moving vehicle itself is not considered deadly force, according to the patrol guide.
The group says the officer broke the policy, and it needs to be enforced. It is also calling for an independent investigation into the shooting by a federal- or state-appointed body. They say the relationship between the NYPD and the district attorney?s office is incestuous.
The Bronx district attorney?s office is investigating the incident and says it is interviewing witnesses and examining physical evidence.
The police commissioner?s spokesperson has not released a comment.
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