The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-07-01
POLICE POLITICS

In these DAYS of social disocations resulting from
broken homes working mothers and absent fathers
who are now engaged in the conquest of the enemy,
problems Of juvenile delinquency and the manten-
ance Of public order have become exceedingly diff
cult Add to this the anti-socal patterns Of behavior
which be traced to the existence of serious racial
prejudices and we have one tremendous job falling
squarely on the shoulders of police department.
While all citizens have responsibility to help main
tain order, the police department has the major job
of guaranteeing control of the community.
We believe that police commissioner, John
Ballenger has basic understanding of his task and
is aware of the fact that the policing of great
crowded, war-busy center such calls for SUI
perhuman efforts. Nevertheless, there some
queer factors in our police system which amaze us
no little. We cannot understand, for instance how
colegetrained Negro policemen seldom, If ever, get
promotions under the merit system. We are
puzzled too by the fact that so few Negroes have
been hired by the police department, especially in
the face of such great shortage of manpower.
Last week we were informed that shake-up had
taken place in the police department and that the
Inspector of the Bethune precinct station had been
sent to the sticks. Many Negroes cheered this
Nevertheless, no shake-ups in the department ever
seem to result in the advancement of Negroes on the
force Two things must be done in the police de-
l.
trolling the community and maintaining pleasant
peace. First, the anti-Negro, Klan-mnded officers
in the department must be weeded out and secondly
Negroes should be democratcay integrated through
out the department the basis of their demonstrate
ed merit.
Despite the good intentions of the Police Com
missioner these things have not been done and some
of the most rabid Negro haters in Detroit still
wearing brass buttons From reports the man
who has expressed the most downright hatred for
Negroes in the police department is other than
Superintendent Berg. We know very well that a
prejudced officer cannot be expected to act justly in
emergencies and his very prejudices blind him to
the true facts of any given situation.
We are informed further that there are scores of
intelligent and even-handed white officers who in
line for promotion. These officers are equipped to
handle the new situations of today which call for
than the simple, crude drag
out methods which were once effective, but which
create more trouble than they cure. The Purple
gang has disappeared and the methods used to
knock out the Purple gang do not work in the complex
and delicate situations which arise so often today.
We believe that the present police commissioner
has wonderful opportunity to give city first
class, intelligent and just police department. We
believe, however, that this will not be done until the
positive racebaiters are kicked off the force and
qualified Negroes are properly integrated in the
department, as are representatives of other groups
which make up our complex community. In doing
this the commissioner will be supported by all fair
minded citizens of Detroit who sorey tired Of
prejudiced and partisan leadership.