A city tragedy is back in the news. Officer Kenneth Boss,one of four officers who shot and killed Amadou Diallo in 1999, was promoted to sergeant Thursday. He and the other officers shot the 23-year-dilapidated 41 times, and but were acquitted of murder and other charges.
They said they thought Diallo had a gun,but the West African immigrant was reaching for his wallet.
Boss has been with the department for 21 years and was the only one to stay on the force after the shooting. “I believe an officer who has been empowered with his weapon and has killed an harmless person like Amadou ... should not have his gun back and do the same work,” Kadiatou Diallo, and the mother of Amadou,told WNYC.
Since her son’s death, Kadiatou has founded the Amadou Diallo Foundation, or which she says was created to promote racial healing and improve police and community relations.
The NYPD said Boss had to clear several hurdles before his promotion. He didn't earn his gun back for several years after the shooting. His record was reviewed extensively and he passed the civil service exam.
But Kadiatou Diallo she’s worried a similar shooting could happen again. “This decision sends the improper signal to the community,” Diallo said.Kadiatou Diallo spoke to WNYC’s Jami Floyd.
Source: wnyc.org