March 26, 1999
Web posted at: 2:57 p.m. EST (1957 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Attorney General Janet Reno said Friday the Justice Department will investigate allegations of police brutality, but she defended police facing unpredictable confrontations on the street.

Reno's responded during her regular weekly news conference to questions about the department's probe into the fatal shooting of an unarmed West African immigrant by four New York City police officers.

"When to shoot and when not to shoot is one of the most difficult decisions in some circumstances that anybody could make," Reno said.

She did not directly address allegations of excessive force and poor judgment against the officers who shot and killed Amadou Diallo on February 4.

Four New York police officers shot at Diallo

On Thursday, Reno met with the leaders of several police organizations to discuss the controversial case and the need for better relations between police and minorities, said Jim Pasco, executive director of the national Fraternal Order of Police.

At her news conference, Reno would not say whether she will go to New York to investigate the killing of Diallo, as civil rights leaders have requested.

She also refused comment on how New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has handled the case and on the continuing public outcry.

Officers face murder charge

Giuliani has defended the police department since the shooting at Diallo's Bronx home. Officers Sean Carroll, Edward McMellon, Kenneth Boss and Richard Murphy, members of the elite street crimes unit, fired 41 shots at Diallo, who was black, and hit him 19 times.

A source close to the case said Thursday that the officers have been charged with second-degree murder. Spokespersons for New York police and prosecutors declined comment.

The officers were on patrol looking for a serial rapist at the time of the shooting.

Protesters chant "no justice, no peace" at an anti-police rally

Citywide outrage

The death of Diallo, 22, has sparked citywide outrage over alleged aggressive police tactics. Demonstrations outside police headquarters during the past few weeks have resulted in more than 800 arrests, half of those in the last two days.

The failure to charge the officers more quickly was one of the protesters' points of contention.

The officers, who remained on desk duty, chose not to testify before the grand jury. Their attorneys have said officers are allowed to fire their weapons if they believe their lives are in danger, suggesting a possible defense when the case goes to trial.

On Thursday, Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon was one of 219 demonstrators arrested, the most in a single day since daily civil disobedience rallies began earlier this month.

"If we're not here, we're saying what happened is acceptable and normal and I think that does a disservice to other police," Sarandon said before she was led into custody, singing "We Shall Overcome."

Sarandon is not the only celebrity who has chosen to participate in the protests. Actors Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee were arrested Tuesday. The list of prominent arrestees also includes former New York Mayor David Dinkins, Rep. Charles Rangel, D-New York, and NAACP President Kweisi Mfume.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.