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Letter to the editor

Sheriff's policy review doesn't satisfy Uhurus

The activist group says the office is protecting one of its own officers.

By LAUREN BAYNE ANDERSON
Published June 10, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - Members of the activist Uhuru group on Thursday criticized Pinellas County Sheriff Jim Coats' plan to revise the department's deadly force policy.

Gaida Kambon, a spokeswoman for the International People's Democratic Uhuru Movement, said the sheriff's office is covering up for Cpl. Christopher Taylor, who shot Jarrell S. Walker on April 12 during a drug raid.

Coats said last week he planned to revise the deadly force policy to clarify when a shooting is necessary. Coats said he wants deputies better trained to react to threats and fire their guns as a last resort.

Kambon said Coats' explanation that "Walker died as a result of vague policy is insulting."

The sheriff's office's shooting review board concluded that Taylor, 33, was "justified" in shooting Walker, 19. Taylor was part of a SWAT team that raided Walker's St. Petersburg home. Taylor said Walker refused to show his hands when ordered and searched for something under a couch. No gun was found under the couch. One was found in another couch in the den.

The review panel said Taylor complied with agency policy and training "as currently written." The State Attorney's Office also cleared Taylor of any criminal wrongdoing.

The Uhurus are planning a "community hearing" on the issue July 24 and a large march in November, Kambon said.

[Last modified June 10, 2005, 01:10:11]