A Kansas City activist is asking stores in that area not to carry a G.I. Joe figure modeled after a Cincinnati police motorcycle officer because conflicts between Cincinnati officers and blacks led to race riots.

        Alonzo Washington said Wednesday the toy could increase tensions between the black community and police after a Kansas City officer Sunday shot a black teen-ager who had pointed a BB gun at a passing patrol car.

        Mr. Washington, whose company makes black action figures, said he sent a letter to officials at Osco Drugs, Toys 'R' Us and Walgreens asking them not to stock the G.I. Joe toy.

        Cincinnati activist the Rev. Damon Lynch III said the toy maker could have picked a better police department to model the figure after.

        “There are clearly a lot of good Cincinnati police officers,” the Rev. Mr. Lynch said. “But until the police division disciplines officers Jorg, Caton and Roach, then I don't believe their image is the one we need to export around the country.”

        He was referring to three Cincinnati police officers acquitted in 2001 in the deaths of two black male suspects.

        The doll, which features the city's river and crown insignia, went on sale last summer, said Audrey Desimone, a spokeswoman for Pawtucket, R.I.,-based Hasbro, which makes the toy.

        Ms. Desimone said product development on the toy began long before April's riots in Cincinnati, which began after the shooting of a fleeing unarmed black man by a white police officer.

        Hasbro said in a statement Wednesday it hasn't received any complaints about the toy.

        The figure, “G.I. Joe Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Police Bike and Figure,” was based on a photo of Officer Rick Krummen.

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