Minneapolis spokesman., 1963-06-13
Now For Some
Unfinished Business

Over the years, there have been many indica-
tons that the Minneapolis police department has in
adequate procedures for the psychological screening
of applicants for police jobs.
There have been such incidents as the appear
of policemen leaders in local battles to inter-
fere with the rights Of Negroes to buy rent
houses. There have been countless minor incidents
adding up to the feeling on the part of Negroes,
articuated in recent municipal court trial. that it
is fritless for Negro to seek police help coop
GRAFTON. There was the recent incident involving
what appeared to be hysterical undiscipIned police
attacks upon Negro citizens, accompanied by the
use Of language that betrayed prejudces police
has the right to hold; If he has this attitude
toward groups Of citizens he is unfit to be q
policeman.
A big part Of the mischief that Is done by such
incidents is the impression conveyed to large seq
ments of population that the incidents reflect po-
lice and city policy This Is not the case, Of
But the city must face the fact that every time an
irresponsible character in police uniform misbehaves
in the ways cited above, he does grave damage to
city and very seriously undermnes the effec-
tveness Of the police department which employs
him.
There are three ways in which the city can deal
with this problem First Of course Is by discipning
these undiscplined characters The man who uses
foul language and gives expression to racial pre-
judice in the performance Of his duties and the
man who makes reckless and unnecessary use Of
saps and clubs Is not fit to be the police force.
The city has promised full investigation Of the
recent incidents in which these things said to
have occurred. We feel sure that the accused If
guilty will be justly dealt with.
Second, it seems clear that more effective
program of education and indoctrination Is needed
in police department The time was long past,
many years ago, when could afford to permit
crude and unframed bumblers to barge in on deli
cate problems Of human relations.
Finally and equally obvious, a better program
is needed for screening the applicants for police
careers Some Of the offenses cited above have been
committed by rookie policemen. Far from being an
excuse, this is a serious indictment. How, in this
day and age, does the department happen to accept
new men who are so unfit, psychologically, for the
duties they must perform? Why does not the de-
partment have screening procedures to weed out the
psychological misfits in advanceH
During the recent campaign there was much talk
about the Minneapolis police force-much Of it nom
Now that the election Is over, maybe we
ought to get down to serious business about the
things that really need correction.
Some weeks ago a Minneapolis police officer
walked OUT police school where the necessity
of officers learning about how to face situations In
the Of human relations was pointed out. He
claimed the officers were being 'brain-washed, -
when as a matter Of fact the instructors only
pointing up the danger to sound law enforcement
and respect for the police department from careless
actions and prejudced statements by police officers
In these days Of racial tensions 1t is incumbent
upon police officers well citizens to mind their
tongues to avoid untoward actions, and preserve
the peace What the police departments need In most
cities is more training in human rights rather than
less