THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 8, 1994 TAG: 9406080502
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: D3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KAREN E. QUINONES MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940608 LENGTH: NORFOLK
``It would weaken my authority to make decisions,'' High told City Council.
{REST} ``I'm prepared to give our police chief as much as possible,'' Riddick said. ``I'm prepared to watch and see if things will change.''
Riddick had called for informal discussions on the subject last month after Anthony Brown, a mentally disturbed man, was shot and killed by police after slashing an officer with a knife. The officer's wound did not require stitches.
On Thursday, Ronald Duck was accidentally shot by officer M.L. Warren. The officer had just left his patrol car - gun in hand - to question Duck and a friend, both bystanders.
The two incidents were part of a historically disturbing relationship between the African-American community and the police, Riddick told fellow council members in an informal session before the main meeting.
``I don't guess anyone in here who is white can understand,'' Riddick said. ``But there's never been another group of people who have been sprayed by water hoses, attacked by dogs or dragged down the street the way African-Americans in this country have.''
Riddick said that even in 1994 African-Americans are treated unjustly.
There are some officers, Riddick said, ``who have a preconceived notion that blacks do not deserve to be treated fairly, evenly and with respect. And I just cannot, as a black person, sit as a member of this council and allow this type of thing to exist in Norfolk.''
Riddick said this was why he had called for a discussion on forming a police review board that would handle complaints against the police.
High said the idea of creating a civilian review board is nothing new.
``From time to time,'' High said, ``the issue resurfaces, particularly when there's been a number of incidents involving the police.''
However, he said, forming such a board is not the best answer.
``I think one of the things review boards generally do is weaken the police chief's position to impose sanctions on his force and to manage his force in an expeditious and effective manner,'' High said.
Councilman John Foster praised High's management of the police force and said he believed the formation of a review board - besides being expensive - might decrease morale among officers.
``I wouldn't impose such a commission on my doctors or on my water department, so I don't think I should tax police officers with such a commission,'' Foster said, adding that he thought the Police Department was doing a good job.
Vice Mayor Joseph N. Green Jr. said he shared Riddick's concerns about the Police Department's relationship with the African-American community. But he said he had faith in High, who has headed the department for only a year, and wanted to give him more time.
Riddick said that High's quick action in the case of the officer who accidentally shot the bystander - the officer was suspended without pay - indicates that perhaps High can turn the force around.
``I'm willing to give it time,'' Riddick said. ``But I want to see some results.''
by CNB