NCJ Number
83020
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Chief Burtell M. Jefferson of the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department and Roosevelt Dunning, Deputy Commissioner for Community Affairs of the New York City Police Department, present their experiences and views on minority hiring for police agencies.
Abstract
Chief Jefferson gives a brief survey of his agency's employment history. In 1933, only 40 out of 1,000 officers were black; in 1965, 548 blacks (male and female) were of the 2,300-man force were black and today, more than 40 percent of the force is black. The past practice of discrimination in assignment to particular units is also changing. However, progress in minority employment must involve progress through the ranks to positions of influence. Deputy Commissioner Dunning argues that there is a need for advocacy-type efforts on the part of the National Urban League to help young people, all minorities, and women. Relating his personal experience of evolving from a poor street kid to a police officer, lawyer, and commissioner, he points out that blacks who have 'made it' must encourage other blacks to pursue careers in law enforcement. Black police officers can influence positive change in their community and should assume an advocacy role. They and the National Urban League must work to make the system more responsive to young persons and recidivists in the criminal justice system. The Law Enforcement Minority Manpower Project (LEMMP) should be part of this endeavor.