By DOUG GROSS, Associated Press Writer
ATLANTA — A local chapter of a U.S. civil rights group on Monday called on police and politicians to limit the use of “no-knock” warrants in the wake of the death of an elderly woman shot by police during such a search.
The Rev. R.L. White, Jr., chapter president for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, unveiled a list of recommendations the group compiled after a December community forum prompted by the shooting.
“This is of utmost urgency,” said White, speaking at the chapter’s Atlanta headquarters. “The situation that happened last year was only the tip of the iceberg.”
The NAACP chapter also called on police to require officers to receive sensitivity training, for the Atlanta Police Department to launch a goodwill initiative in the city’s low-income, high-crime neighborhoods and for a citizens review board to be created to review incidents like the Nov. 21 shooting.
Kathryn Johnston died and three officers were wounded in the shootout during a no-knock search for drugs in Johnston’s northwest Atlanta home. Family members say Johnston was 92 years old; authorities said she was 88.
When officers raided her home without first announcing their presence, police say Johnston fired a handgun before officers returned fire, killing her.
Narcotics officers said they were told by a paid informant that cocaine was being sold from Johnston’s home.
No cocaine was found in the home, and a man who claims he was the paid informant later said he was told by officers to lie about buying drugs at the home.
The FBI and Georgia Bureau of investigation are investigating the incident at the request of Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington.
The NAACP recommendations call for police to conduct advance surveillance of homes where they plan to use no-knock warrants. They also suggest that judges reserve the warrants for extreme cases.
“I commend the NAACP for their input and involvement on how the Atlanta Police Department conducts business,” Pennington said in a statement. “Even though we are currently reviewing our internal policies and procedures, I do not oppose any measure that will strengthen our relationship with the community. I look forward to working together to reclaim the public’s trust in our hard-working men and women.”
White said the suggestions will be delivered to Mayor Shirley Franklin, Atlanta’s city council and Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears.