15A
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
February 1, 1996
History of Charlotte’s finest
includes African Americans
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Above: Charlotte’s African American officers in 1956. Front row
- Sgt. G.T. Nash, G.E. Wiliiamson and W.C. Covington. Back row
- John Lyies, Rudy Torrence, W.J. Costner and Vardry Spencer.
July 11, 1941 was a historic
day for the Charlotte Police
Department as it hired its first
African American police offi
cer, A.M. “Bub” Houston.
Houston’s hiring followed
protests and political pressure
by the black community to
integrate the Charlotte Police
Department.
Houston and James Ross,
who was hired a few months
later, were classified as
“Special Officers” and were not
afforded civil service protec
tion. They were specifically
assigned to work “the colored
or Negro sections of town” and
were required to call a white
police officer if for any reason a
white man or woman had to be
arrested in their assigned
area. Houston and Ross had
yearly contracts that were
renewed at the pleasure of the
chief of police.
In 1946, Chief Frank
Littlejohn recommended ser
vice protection for black offi-
achieved
in 1974
Costner
African
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North Carolina’s first African
American police officers,
A.M. “Bub” Houston (left) and
James S. Ross, were sworn in
July 11, 1941 in Charlotte.
The contributions of black offi
cers have touched all areas of
the department and have
strengthened the community’s
respect and trust in the police.
Information provided by the
Charlotte Police Department.
Let's Make Every Month
Black History Month
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cers. He also promoted an
African American officer,
George T. Nash, to the rank of
sergeant but allowed him
authority only over subordi
nate black officers.
The full integration of black
officers into the police depart
ment paralleled the history of
the South as it slowly moved
toward integration.
Reportedly the first pairing of
black and white police officers
in a patrol car did not occur
until September, 1969 when
Officers T.C. Barrett and C.D.
Frye became riding partners.
Just the year before, Annie
■Montgomery Gillespie had
become the department’s first
female officer.
In 1971, the North State Law
Enforcement Association, a
professional association for
black police officers, sued the
City of Charlotte to increase
minority hiring and promotion
within the Police Department.
North State, under the leader
ship of its local president,
Rudolph “Rudy” Torrence, won
a consent agreement from the
courts in 1974 under which the
city agreed to immediately
promote six blacks to the rank
of sergeant and to emphasize
minority hiring.
Black officers
another milestone
when Sgt. W.J.
became the first
American assigned to the
Internal Affairs section. The
assignment of a black sergeant
to the sensitive assignment of
investigating his fellow offi
cers said how much about the
departments acceptance of
black officers as an integral
part of the department.
In 1976, Ellison Laney
became the first black to be
promoted to lieutenant. He
continued to move up through
the ranks of the department
and in 1988, made history
with his promotion to the rank
of assistant police chief.
The first black female to
attain a promotion was Andrea
Huff who was promoted to
sergeant in August 1980 and
captain in December, 1983.
She retired in 1987 with 10
years of service.
Black police officers in the
city of Charlotte have built a
proud tradition of service to
the community. Two black offi
cers, Edmond Cannon and
Ernest Coleman, have given
their lives in the line of duty.
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Do You Have
What It Takes?
Join the 1300 Charlotte-Mecklenburg
police officers, who make up the largest
municipal law enforcement agency in the Carolinas.
To be eligible for hire as a police officer, you must meet
certain minimum requirements to include;
• Be at least 21 years old
• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Have a Valid Driver's License
• Have earned a High School Diploma or GED
• Have an Honorable Military Discharge, if applicable
• Have no felony or serious misdeameanor convictions
In addition, applicants must satisfactorily complete: a physical
ability test, a writing test, a thorough background investigation,
psychological test, medical examination, polygraph examination
and a drug screening. Successful applicants must also meet minimum
vision requirements. Certain past drug use will disqualify you.
Applicants who are selected for employment must complete a 16-
week Basic Law Enforcement Training Program at the Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Police Academy, The comprehensive curriculum covers
such topics as firearms, defensive tactics, psychology, criminal law,
and a variety of other topics related to the law enforcement profes
sion. The starting salary is $24,005, with added incentives for level
of education. Top salary for a Senior Police Officer III with a four
year degree is $43,111.
For further information
contact the Recruitment Section at
(704) 525-6145 Ext. 229
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Recruitment and Training • 1750 Shopton Road ♦ Charlotte, NC 28217
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Is An Equal Opportunity Employer
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