Mayor Vellucci Urges Order Condemning Racism By Police

Cambridge Mayor Alfred E. Vellucci instructed the Cambridge City Council Monday night to issue a statement "condemning racism in any and all forms in the Cambridge Police Department."

The order was triggered by an October 18 letter written to Police Chief Leo Davenport by the Cambridge Afro-American Police Association requesting that action be taken against "the derogatory employment applications found and the virulent, racist remarks aired over the police radio." A copy of the letter was sent to acting Harvard Police Chief William Lee.

Vellucci said, in a letter to Davenport, that the chief has not indicated that he plans to comply with the requests of the police group.

Detective Reuben Dottin, who presented Davenport with the association's letter, said yesterday, "I felt going into the Chief's office was like talking to the wall. Any incident that happens in this department, he will be responsible for."

Emotional Issues

City Councilor Saundra Graham said yesterday the city manager should investigate the situation and suspend without pay or fire the persons involved. The police "are sitting on a keg of dynamite that will explode if nothing is done to ease the tensions of Blacks and Italians," Graham added.

Lee said yesterday "action should be taken to deter the continuance of this problem, if it exists."