Paterson to form taskforce on friendly fire shootings

June 5, 4:46 PMNY Government ExaminerMichael A. Harris

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FILE PHOTO: HARRIS/EXAYesterday,

Yesterday NYPD Detective Omar Edwards, the black NYPD officer shot and killed by a white plainclothes officer was laid to rest, today New York Governor David A. Paterson met with community, elected and civil rights leaders to discuss the incident.

Following the closed door meeting, which lasted just a little over an hour, Paterson emerged, joined by a coalition of elected officials and clergy, including Rev. Al Sharpton, State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith and State Senator Eric Adams, a former NYPD Captain and President of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement. 

Paterson addressed reporters and announced that within the next two weeks he wlll  taskforce to review friendly fire shootings throughout the state and to determine what racial disparities may exist  and what measures may be taken to avoid future tragedies. 

The governor also said that while asked by the activists and officials in the meeting demanded that he appoint a special prosecutor, such action would be premature.  He did however say that he has not ruled out the possibility.