FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DAG

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2000

(202) 616-2777

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

TDD (202) 514-1888


STATEMENT BY DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

ON THE AMADOU DIALLO MEETING


WASHINGTON, D.C. - Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder and Acting Associate Attorney General Daniel Marcus today met with the family of Amadou Diallo, Members of Congress, and representatives of the civil rights community concerning the death of Mr. Diallo. The meeting follows last Friday's jury verdict in state court in Albany, New York, acquitting the four police officers involved in that shooting.

Attorney General Janet Reno, who is currently in Costa Rica attending the Organization of American States Justice Ministerial Conference, did not attend the meeting. Following the meeting, Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder issued the following statement:

"Today I had the opportunity to listen to the parents of Amadou Diallo and the views of other individuals concerning the Diallo shooting in New York City. It was an informative meeting about a terribly tragic incident.

"During the meeting, I explained that the Justice Department closely monitored the state trial and is now reviewing all the information in connection with the shooting to determine whether there were any violations of federal criminal civil rights laws. Following the shooting last year, the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan, together with the Civil Rights Division in Washington, opened an investigation into the incident.

"While I explained that the standard to proceed in federal court is high, I indicated that the review is a priority, that we have not ruled anything out and that it will be conducted as thoroughly and expeditiously as possible.

"In addition to the Diallo review, the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney's office in Brooklyn have been working together for more than two years conducting a joint investigation into certain alleged patterns and practices of the NYPD. In the wake of the shooting death of Mr. Diallo, the investigation was expanded to include an examination of the NYPD Street Crime Unit by the U.S. Attorneys office in Manhattan.

"The pattern or practice investigation is being conducted under a provision of the 1994 Crime Bill, which allows the Department to investigate law enforcement agencies that allegedly engage in misconduct, and enables the Department to seek a court order requiring the agencies to change their practices. This investigation is one of several pattern or practice investigations the Department is conducting around the country.

"Police misconduct is a very real problem which has a corrosive effect on the integrity of the justice system and undermines citizens' trust of law enforcement. While most law enforcement officers are honest, law abiding individuals who risk their lives every day, those officers who cross the line tarnish all police officers and must be held accountable.

"The Justice Department remains committed to addressing the issue of police integrity in a variety of ways. Last June, the President and the Attorney General convened a conference that brought together the civil rights community and law enforcement leaders to discuss ways to strengthen the bond between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. Since then, we have continued to identify and develop practices that police departments can employ to ensure the proper conduct of police officers and increased confidence in law enforcement."

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