AN UNARMED MAN

To the Editor:
Re "Grand Jury Clears Detective in Killing of Unarmed Guard" (front page,
July 28):

Regardless of the judgment of the grand jury about criminal
culpability in the death of Patrick M. Dorismond, it remains
unconscionable for New York City police to shoot unarmed people. It is
also a scandal that a person of color would automatically be assumed
to be a drug dealer.

Surely there is another way to go about law enforcement in this city.
Isn't it time for the federal government to step in?

We all pray for the Dorismond family and all who were in involved in
this time of loss, pain and crisis.

(Rev.) MICHAEL S. KENDALL.
Archdeacon for Mission Episcopal Diocese of
New York New York, July 28, 2000