APRIL 2017
We are not the problem! In 1968 the Massachusetts Association of Afro American Police came to be in the basement of Officer Prescott "Rick" Thompson's basement. The reason they got together was they had enough of being treated like second class officers by the Boston Police Department. In the winter they walked a beat and in the summer they road in non-air conditioned cars. William "Billy" Celester passed the Sergeant's exam and Commissioner Joe Jordan told him they would never make him a Sergeant. These men were not only bypassed for promotions but they didn't get their fair share of details or overtime. They made nothing compared to what we make today but risked all to make a place at the "table" for the next generation to have a shot at becoming a police officer. There were those just like today that cried out "they're "troublemakers" but in the words of someone I admire, Congressman John Lewis, "Sometimes you got to make a little necessary trouble"! If we relied on those who hid in the "kitchen" we would still be in the field instead of wearing this uniform. We are trying to keep a place at the table for the next generation should they "want" to be a police officer.
Since Evans and Walsh took office the number of minority officers has dropped despite their cries of diversity. In a USAarticle Police Commissioner Evans in speaking about Veteran hiring preference hindering diversity he states, "Obviously, it's a tough job for a minority. They are in a community that really doesn't like them. And they think they are a sellout, you know. "Uncle Toms". If I say anything regarding this comment I will be accused of taking his words out of context, so I will leave you to read into it what you will.
With officers of color being disciplined much harsher than our counterparts and promotions being based on cronyism and not merit, we are not the problem but we are going to work toward a solution to it.
Larry Ellison
President
We are not the problem! In 1968 the Massachusetts Association of Afro American Police came to be in the basement of Officer Prescott "Rick" Thompson's basement. The reason they got together was they had enough of being treated like second class officers by the Boston Police Department. In the winter they walked a beat and in the summer they road in non-air conditioned cars. William "Billy" Celester passed the Sergeant's exam and Commissioner Joe Jordan told him they would never make him a Sergeant. These men were not only bypassed for promotions but they didn't get their fair share of details or overtime. They made nothing compared to what we make today but risked all to make a place at the "table" for the next generation to have a shot at becoming a police officer. There were those just like today that cried out "they're "troublemakers" but in the words of someone I admire, Congressman John Lewis, "Sometimes you got to make a little necessary trouble"! If we relied on those who hid in the "kitchen" we would still be in the field instead of wearing this uniform. We are trying to keep a place at the table for the next generation should they "want" to be a police officer.
Since Evans and Walsh took office the number of minority officers has dropped despite their cries of diversity. In a USAarticle Police Commissioner Evans in speaking about Veteran hiring preference hindering diversity he states, "Obviously, it's a tough job for a minority. They are in a community that really doesn't like them. And they think they are a sellout, you know. "Uncle Toms". If I say anything regarding this comment I will be accused of taking his words out of context, so I will leave you to read into it what you will.
With officers of color being disciplined much harsher than our counterparts and promotions being based on cronyism and not merit, we are not the problem but we are going to work toward a solution to it.
Larry Ellison
President