- Police Brutality Watch

Originally published in the Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL) [here] March 6, 2005

By Patty Pensa and Akilah Johnson Staff Writer

Determined the shooting death of a teenager will not be ignored, more than 250 people gathered Saturday in an emotionally charged meeting that city officials said will shape how they tackle a widening racial divide.

Black residents aired anger over aggressive treatment from police and urged better training and hiring of more minority officers. The very officers who are supposed to protect them now elicit a sense of fear, they said, pointing to Jerrode Miller's shooting death as evidence of enduring racism.

"It's hard being black in Delray Beach," said Michael Clinton, 22. "Police want to stop us and search our car. All of us are not bad."

After the three-hour meeting, Police Chief Larry Schroeder said the Police Department would assess police training procedures and involve the NAACP in diversity training.

The city will seek an independent review of the Police Department's use-of-force policy, added Mayor Jeff Perlman. The policy prohibits officers from firing at a moving vehicle unless they think it is "necessary to defend themselves or another from death or serious injury."

According to police and witness accounts, Officer Darren Cogoni shot Miller in the back of the head after the 16-year-old swerved his uncle's Cadillac through the courtyard of the Delray Full Service Center, an alternative school where teens had gathered for a school dance on Feb. 26.

Witnesses said Miller fled instead of responding to Cogoni's request to see Miller's license. Records show Miller did not have a license.

Cogoni, 23, was hired in March 2004, but was on road patrol alone for less than a month. He is on paid administrative leave as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and State Attorney's Office investigate.

The NAACP rushed in a few days after the shooting. The group hosted Saturday morning's "Stop the Killings" community meeting in the gym at Pompey Park and plans to reconvene in two weeks to discuss the city's efforts.

Representatives from the Urban League of Palm Beach County and the Palm Beach County Caucus of Black Elected Officials also attended the meeting.

"We're very interested in setting the stage to move forward," said Romaine Martin, president of the organization's south county branch. "We cannot let another Jerrode Miller happen again in Delray Beach or anywhere else."

City officials have urged patience while ensuring a complete investigation and an open line of communication with the city's black community.

Perlman and Schroeder listened and took notes as more than 25 people expressed frustration over Miller's death. A few called for both officials to resign.

"This has to change," said Joe Potts, 32, impassioned as he recounted an incident when a police officer pulled him out of his car. "It has to stop. Stop being aggressive with us. We're human beings just like you are."

Miller was the second black resident fatally shot by police in the past five months. A third black resident was wounded in a police shooting.