The release of an internal investigation Tuesday into the shooting death of Timothy Thomas by Officer Stephen Roach on April 7, 2001, comes at a critical juncture.

        Several African-American groups have called for an economic boycott of the city, in part because they say the Police Department has failed to discipline bad officers.

        The predominantly black Progressive National Baptist Convention, in deciding to cancel a convention in Cincinnati, said the city's racial climate is hostile.

        One of the boycott groups is embroiled in a legal battle with the Cincinnati Arts Association over the tactic of asking entertainers to stay away from the city.

        City leaders are anxious to defuse the inevitable national media attention as the one-year anniversary of the shooting and riots approaches.

        By early April, the city hopes to make progress on several significant police-community relations issues:

        • The city and the Fraternal Order of Police are defendants in a racial profiling lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed March 14, 2001, by the Cincinnati Black United Front and the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. The suit alleges systematic, unlawful profiling of African-Americans by city police.

        Instead of following the traditional and lengthy course of a lawsuit, each side agreed to mediate the dispute under the auspices of federal Judge Susan J. Dlott. The judge has set an April 5 deadline for an agreement.

        • The federal Department of Justice and the city are negotiating the terms of a settlement over how the police department will use force, document its conduct and be subject to civilian oversight.

        The city and Justice Department agree on most of the recommendations from the federal government.

        Aspects of the settlement are also being negotiated through the racial profiling lawsuit.

        • The Citizens Police Review Panel, formed by City Council to review how police conducted internal investigations, has stopped hearing cases. The panel said the city administration has not been supportive.

        The Justice Department recommended new ways civilians should oversee the police. Alternatives are being discussed in the federal mediation.

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