A congressional committee Monday heard civil rights crusaders, academics and frustrated Sean Bell supporters demand a massive overhaul to police departments in New York and nationwide to end excessive force deaths. "This is not a New York matter anymore _ it is international," said Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, which held a public forum on police accountability at the Customs House in lower Manhattan, N.Y. The committee, which has influence over federal funding of police departments, will recommend changes in police training, funding and policies to reduce instances of racial profiling and excessive force.

Like other such cases of deadly force, the 50-shot killing of Bell, 23, has again called into question police conduct. Last month's acquittal of the three undercover officers charged in the Nov. 25, 2006, death led to citywide protests calling for civil rights prosecution of the officers and immediate policing reforms.