A white cop has been cleared of criminal charges for mistakenly shooting and killing a black rookie officer in plainclothes this past May in East Harlem.

The Grand Jury, clearing the cop of all criminal charges, consists of 23 Citizens. NY Grand Juries average "dismissal" rate is only 7%. Few cases result in "dismissal".

Some Forum members alleged "Racism" as soon as it was learned a white cop had shot a black cop. Waiting to see what the investigation yields; waiting to see what the Grand Jury believed; waiting to see what the District Attorney determines, is always better than yelling mindlessly and without knowledge "Racism".

For more details you may see:http://www.nypost.com/seven/08132009...nha_184381.htm

That's a sad situation. Two guys just doing their jobs and serving their community.

As I recall the (deceased) black cop, left the precinct and saw someone breaking into his car. Gave chase (bad idea), with his gun out (worse idea), the other cop (the white one) saw a man in plain clothes running down the street with a gun out in Harlem. I see no racism, what I see is one cop who should've kept his gun in the holster until needed and another cop doing his job - aren't they SUPPOSED to protect the citizens from unknown people carrying guns in the open? Good that he got acquitted.

Sad for all involved, my he rest in peace and his family be able to move on.

+1 Well said.

I hate racism and racists, but a cop doing his job should be commended not convicted - this was NOT a case of racism

P.S. thanks

I don't know any of the details of the case so my comment is strictly based on your post. Here it goes. Are the police allowed to shot a person if that person is armed? I always thought the someone had to be in eminent danger to justify deadly force. I would not think a man running with a gun would qualify as eminent danger unless he had it pointed at some one. Then again, I don't know all the details of the case.

In a word -yes. If a police officer sees you running with a gun on a public street, instructs you to stop and put down the weapon and you don't and/or refuse - guess what is going to happen. Being a veteran I can see the cops point of view, first and foremost they are trying to get through their shift and back to their family. This means guy with gun is in the wrong and if you don't follow instructions - you lose, sorry.

I appreciate that we don't know all of hte facts but the story did note that the doomed cop turned and pointed his service revolver at the shooter.

With the major caveat that he also did not identify himself as a fellow police officer, therefore to the shooter he saw a guy with a gun pointing it a him. Which makes his reaction a little hard to fault