Top blacks in NYPD demand changes following Omar Edwards shooting
The scence on Thursday night at 125 Street and 2nd Avenue, in Manhattan.
A cadre of top black NYPD brass demanded changes in the department's approach to crimefighting Sunday after reassuring the family of slain cop Omar Edwards that he died a hero.
About 20 high-ranking cops visited Edwards' Brooklyn home to offer their sympathy to his grieving family and their solution to stopping future tragedies.
The NYPD has "to stop assuming that every black male with a gun is a perpetrator," said Corey Pegues, commanding officer of Brooklyn's 67th Precinct.
"We are trying to change the mind-set of officers working in minority communities," said Pegues, joined by Assistant Chief Gerald Nelson, commanding officer of Brooklyn North, and Chief Douglas Zeigler, head of the Community Affairs Bureau.
The NYPD officials were not speaking for the department, but in their capacity as leaders with the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).
Their call came as the NYPD moved to prevent any recurrence similar to Thursday night's tragic shooting.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly - who met for 40 minutes Sunday with state Senate leaders - planned to survey undercover officers about the prevalence of similar close calls that didn't end in gunfire.
And Kelly will consult with outside law enforcement experts and consultants to get a fresh take on procedures, said Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Browne.
"We cannot let this go," Nelson said. "We have hundreds of years of executive experience that we can utilize to help this department move forward."
The group of top black cops provided Edwards' wife with a cash gift. During the meeting, Danielle Edwards sat clutching her 18-month-old son, Xavier.
NOBLE wants the department to posthumously promote Edwards to the rank of detective, ensuring better benefits for the two-year veteran's family.
"His mom shed a lot of tears," Pegues said. "No one said to them, 'Your son, your husband died a hero.'"
sweichselbaum@nydailynews.com
The New York Daily News
About 20 high-ranking cops visited Edwards' Brooklyn home to offer their sympathy to his grieving family and their solution to stopping future tragedies.
The NYPD has "to stop assuming that every black male with a gun is a perpetrator," said Corey Pegues, commanding officer of Brooklyn's 67th Precinct.
"We are trying to change the mind-set of officers working in minority communities," said Pegues, joined by Assistant Chief Gerald Nelson, commanding officer of Brooklyn North, and Chief Douglas Zeigler, head of the Community Affairs Bureau.
The NYPD officials were not speaking for the department, but in their capacity as leaders with the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).
Their call came as the NYPD moved to prevent any recurrence similar to Thursday night's tragic shooting.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly - who met for 40 minutes Sunday with state Senate leaders - planned to survey undercover officers about the prevalence of similar close calls that didn't end in gunfire.
And Kelly will consult with outside law enforcement experts and consultants to get a fresh take on procedures, said Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Browne.
"We cannot let this go," Nelson said. "We have hundreds of years of executive experience that we can utilize to help this department move forward."
The group of top black cops provided Edwards' wife with a cash gift. During the meeting, Danielle Edwards sat clutching her 18-month-old son, Xavier.
NOBLE wants the department to posthumously promote Edwards to the rank of detective, ensuring better benefits for the two-year veteran's family.
"His mom shed a lot of tears," Pegues said. "No one said to them, 'Your son, your husband died a hero.'"
sweichselbaum@nydailynews.com
The New York Daily News
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