African American Police League Archives

I AM MY BROTHER’S KEEPER
BE MY BROTHER

Afro-American Police League

Our Goals Are:

• To work for high standards of police performance in all communities.
• To strive for improved relationships between black and white police officers.
• To maintain an image of dignity and respect for black officers.
• To fight for fair and equitable treatment of blacks in the areas of hiring, promotions, assignments, and discipline. 
• To improve the relationship between the police department as an institution and the black community.

Your membership in the league automatically enrolls you as a member of The National Black Police Association (Chartered 1972, State of Illinois)

You are entitled to legal assistance and advice (all matters), family counseling, members only insurance plan (available), tutoring and training for promotional exams, local and national newsletter.

JOIN NOW!
Phone: 667-7384

Your Representative is ________________.

SUPPORT YOUR AFRO AMERICAN PATROLMEN’S LEAGUE
HELP US REDUCE ABUSE

The Afro American Patrolmen’s League is your representative for police reform and your guardian against police abuse.

Call 667-7384 for our FREE POLICE BRUTALITY COMPLAINT AND
REFERRAL SERVICE:

POLICE ABUSE
BRUTALITY
HARASSMENT
LACK OF SERVICE
LEGAL REFERRAL

BROTHERS HELPING BROTHERS TO BE BROTHERS

A formal complaint was made to the I.A.D. and a complaint to the office of the Mayor was suggested. 6 April '71. - H.S.

669 East 83rd Street
Chicago, Illinois

Afro-American Police League of Chicago, Inc.
7126 South Jeffrey
Chicago, Illinois

Dear Sir:

I called your offices on March 21, 1971 and have been awaiting a return call. Perhaps my message was mislaid. I called your office in regard to frequent police calls made to the Central Office to make police calls to my home in the middle of the night. At the time I wondered if it was be possible for me to "listen" to the tapes from such a call.

I am a middle age black woman with a teenage child and we live in my home alone. These "raids" on my home are very distresssing. I am not sure if your organization performs any community services, but I would appreciate any help I could get to stop such disturbing occurrences.

The last such call to my home was made on 2:30 a.m. March 21, 1971.

I am presently having the mishandling of my mail investigated by Mr. Leach at the Grand Crossing United Post Office. This has been another form of harrassment to me.

I have also had my telephone numer changed 3 times with/the last year. I had been severely harrassed by phone.

As you can see the harrassment is almost beyond human endurance.

I would greatly appreciate any help your offices could give to me in this situation.

Thanks you kindly,

Claire Addams

Mrs. Claire Addams
669 East 83rd Street
Chicago, Illinois 

Home: 723 4474
Office: 791 3182

P.S. I HAVE MADE AN APPEAL TO THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT TO NO AVAIL SO FAR

Mrs. Evangilist Love (victim son)
1560 E. 93rd St.
221-3041

Was sitting in house when she heard a shot fired and then she heard another shot and then heard her son say “Oh mama, they shot me in the back.” She opened the door and he fell in her arms. Officer Keefner fired the wounding shot in back of the shoulder. She asked why they shot the boy, what had he done? They replied that he had done nothing but they were going to kill him. The boy is in South Chicago Community Hospital at 93rd and Crandon. Mother says boy is retarded. Officer states boy pointed gun at him; he ordered the boy to hand him the weapon. The boy turned and fled. He (Officer Keefner) fired a warning shot but the boy didn’t stop. That’s when he fired, hitting him in the back of his shoulder.

Remember, you heard it through the GRAPEVINE

The Official Newsletter of the AFRO-AMERICAN PATROLMEN’S LEAGUE

I AM MY BROTHER’S KEEPER BE MY BROTHER

February 1974
7126 South Jeffery

Chicago, Illinois 60649

667-7384
Vol. 1 - No. 1

Rochford Appointment, A Slap In The Face

The Afro-American Patrolmen’s League voices Black community demands for new Superintendent James Rochford as totally unacceptable to us as permanent Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department.

James Rochford has been at the seat of power through years of conscious, consistent racial discrimination in police employment. He has been at the seat of power while psychological screening was discarded, while secrecy and isolation from the public have been the basic police policy; while corruption and brutality have flourished and been tolerated. We do not need THAT kind of leadership!

James Rochford is a product of the Chicago Police System that feeds and functions on political clout, and he is the symbol of no change in that system. The Afro-American Patrolmen’s League demands change in Police affairs, we want good efficient, unbiased, police protection.

FOR the Mayor to appoint James Rochford permanent Superintendent  is indeed a slap in the face of every citizen who cares about quality law enforcement in the City of Chicago.

Duty Line

IT'S BEEN said there is a thin line between “love and hate”, “life and death”, “winning and losing”, and “on and off duty”. The latter of these subjects can be of paramount importance to the police officer in the daily execution of his duty.

The microscopic dimensions of this arbitrary line sets the quality and quantity of compensation that is awarded the widow and children of a police officer killed on or off duty.

THE CHICAGO Police Dept. and the Police Pension Board determines whether an officer is killed on or off duty. It’s a fact that a policeman is expected to meet the challenge of crime with appropriate action whenever it occurs, so I guess that you can say a police officer is always on duty. It is not a fact that if a police officer is killed as a result of his action to a criminal offense that his death will be termed, “In the line of duty”. 

If a Chicago Police Officer is killed in the line of duty his wife will receive $6000 in insurance benefits and one year’s salary plus 75 per cent pension a year until her husband would have been 63 years old after which she will receive pension benefits commensurate with length of service and how much her husband paid into the pension.

Each child under the age of 18 would also be given a monthly allotment. 

IF THE DEPARTMENT and pension board determines that death wasn’t duty related, the widow would still receive $6000 and the children would still receive a monthly payment but there would be no years salary and the pension benefits would be figured on the basis of how much was paid in by the officer. 

Recently the Police Pension Board voted to grant Mrs. Elizabeth Cullota, wife of slain Patrolman Louis Cullota, full payment of benefits. Patrolman Louis Cullota was killed while on furlough and working in a restaurant on the north side. 

I commend the police board and Richard J. Jones, executive director, for reaching that decision. In addition I would like to see come forth from the Chicago Police Dept. and Police Pension Board some form of written guide lines stating what determines- “In the Line of Duty”. I think that such information would serve to greatly reduce tension and anxiety for the widow of a slain officer killed while engaged in a legal act.

I THINK that such action on the part of the board would be both appropriate and necessary at this time. In the past we have witnessed decisions of the pension board to pay for instance when a police officer was killed in the crash of a helicopter. 

This same board saw fit not to pay when a patrolman was killed during a robbery at a house party. 

Now we are made aware that the pension board will pay to an officer killed while working off duty. This type of action on the part of the board tends to lend confusion and inconsistency to a tragic event. (Continued on page 3)

Killed in the Line of Duty
Patrolman James W. Campbell

We are deeply saddened at the tragic death of Patrolman James W. Campbell, Star 15250, of the 009 District.

Patrolman Campbell died on 9 February 1974 from wounds sustained on 1 February 1974.

Contributions may be sent to Alderwoman Anna R. Langford
1249 W. 63rd Street, 434-1200.

Message from the board

The beginning of each new year is usually marked with resolutions. I believe, we as peace officers should also make resolutions that will help guide us in our private lives as well as our work through the coming year. We as peace officers should be aware that no one will ever get out of this world alive. We should resolve therefore in the year to come to maintain a sense of values. Take care of yourself, good health is everyone’s major source of wealth. Without it, happiness is almost impossible. Resolve to be cheerful and helpful. People will repay you in kindness. Avoid angry, abrasive persons, they are generally vengeful. Avoid zealots, they are generally humorless. Resolve to listen more and talk less. No one ever learned anything by talking. Be charily of giving advice. Wisemen don’t need it and fools won’t heed it. Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the wrong. Sometime in life you will have been all of these. Do not equate money with success. There are many successful money-makers who are miserable failures as human beings. What counts most about success is how a man achieves it. Resolve to love next year someone you didn’t love this year. Love is the most enriching ingredient of life.

The above message is just a philosopher’s viewpoint, but to put these resolutions into realization is not to ask yourself what can the Afro-American Patrolmen’s League do to help you, but what you can do to help the Afro-American Patrolmen’s League. It is my belief that every black peace officer should partake in an active part in the up coming programs and support of the Afro-American Patrolmen’s League in every way that he or she can. Time has come to a point where public opinion demands better police service and protection, and an end to police corruption and brutality. We must speak out for police reform and create an atmosphere of togetherness with all people of goodwill.

We must set an example by our individual behavior while working as well as in our private lives. Every member should do what he or she can to shape the organization into what he or she feels that it should be and not just sit in the locker room or the local tavern complaining to each other what the Afro-American Patrolmen’s League should be doing. The beginning of the year means that the membership dues are due, black peace officers should not wait for someone to come up and ask them for the dues but send a check or money order to 7126 South Jeffery now. If the saying “time brings about a change”, is true, then the time is now. It is time for all black peace officers not only to be responsible, but also to be accountable.

Meanwhile back on the beat, I learned that if a police officer who is on medical wishes to go on light duty, he must submit a form to report to the medical section requesting a light duty assignment, 30 days before returning to duty. I was wondering if this is just another double standard system of the police department. 

There are always policemen with information which is important to his fellow officer. These officers should feel free to write an article for the Grapevine or contact the League office so that this information can be passed on to his fellow officers. In the coming year all good information concerning the Police Department, and the community’s coming events should be found in the Grapevine (with your help). 

Al Rowe
Board of Directors
AAPL

Black Watch
By Renault A. Robinson
Executive Director
AAPL

Black people are facing some critical decisions. It is time we face the hard fact that Mayor Daley has decided that he is not required to serve the Black voters. Look around you! Black people do not have their share of the 40,000 city jobs. Black schools are not even suitable places for children to be during your working hours. Our neighborhoods are not neighborhoods, they are disaster areas. Our young are unemployed and not motivated to attend school. Drugs are in common use among Blacks. Rape is on the increase, murder is on the increase, burglary is on the increase, police officers are going to jail.

Our problems are manyfold! We must, however, understand why nothing is being done by our city government to aid the Black community in its fight for survival. We as Black voters have a right to expect help from our city government, however, in order to get it we must change our politics. Begging Mayor Daley has not worked. In twenty years Mayor Daley has helped the Irish, the big businessmen, the construction industry, the labor unions, preachers, businessmen, politicians and, of course, his sons, but not blacks! Everytime a bribe is paid to a Daley machine man it comes out of our pockets. Everytime a Daley machine man gets a job thats one less for you. Everytime Daley helps anybody its because he has to. Black voters are taken for granted, by Mayor Daley and the Democrats, because we have acted foolishly in the past. Black voters always vote for Daley and Daley gives us nothing in return. The Black community should be demanding its full due from the Daley machine or we should replace the Daley Machine. 

Daley to revamp police board
A revamped police board with broader community representation was promised by Mayor Daley Monday, after an unannounced meeting with Rep. Ralph H. Metcalfe (Dem., Ill), that would provide expansion of the five-member board to provide for greater participation by Blacks and Spanish-speaking groups, as well as a wider range of neighborhoods. However, aside from the general outline of the expanded board, Daley refused to commit himself when asked if a Black would be named. He hedged by saying “the community angle is important. We didn’t discuss Black, white or brown.”

1974 Dues Time
Paying Dues is part of the struggle, keeping yours current is your responsibility. Contact your district representative or stop by the AAPL office with your check or money order. TODAY!

Guest Editorial
Citizen Newspapers February 7, 1974

(The following is a copy of a letter written by a concerned CITIZEN area resident to Mayor Richard J. Daley on Jan. 23, about the “roughshod treatment” accorded youth in the CITIZEN area by policemen. Copies of this letter were sent to deputy Supts. Mitchell Ware and Samuel Nolan, Congressman Ralph Metcalf and 21st ward Ald. Bennett Stewart).

DEAR MAYOR:
I am writing to state my views, as well as complain, against a procedure instituted and practiced by our police department. The procedure is one which allows police officers to ride roughshod through residential neighborhoods after dark and snatch any unsuspecting youngster they may see fit to and cart him off to police headquarters for the specific purpose of using him in the show-up line.

Such an incident took place in our neighborhood last weekend, following the sad tragedy of the little Martin girl’s murder, when a policeman saw fit to so grab my 14-year-old son and, along with the four other neighborhood boys he had rounded up, take him off to headquarters and marched them into the show-up line.

Until this incident occurred, I was of the understanding that police officers didn’t take people into custody unless the policeman felt they had committed or were involved in some type of misconduct or crime.

Surely you can understand the distress my wife and I feel over this incident and our resentment and anger toward high police officials who instituted and ordered such a practice - without consideration or regard for the parents involved, children or other personal considerations.

I realize that, as an ordinary citizen, I do not know much about the inner workings of police operations, but it seems to me that, if given the assignment, capable police personnel could, without too much work, figure out a more “humane” procedure for carrying out their show-up function… especially where children are involved, and one that would not have a bad effect on police/community relations.

It would certainly be a traumatic experience even to me - a man, or for that matter any adult person - to be taken into custody, unexpectedly, without warning, to participate in a show-up line, picture taken, lights flashing, etc.

HOW MUCH more terrifying such an experience could be upon an impressionable teenager - an impression that could very well have damaging effects.

I write, therefore, as both father and citizen, and I feel that my complaint against this particular police practice is a just one and deserves the attention of your high office, if it is to be a continuing one in the community,

Also, I would like to say that my wife and I join you and the others in the city who sympathize with the families in this recent tragedy, and we are truly sorry that it was under these unfortunate circumstances this letter was written.

KELLY TOLBERT. 331 W. 94th pl.

Read on! Knowledge is power!

Duty line

In the words of Richard J. Jones, executive director of the pension board, the decision on the part of the board to pay Mrs. Cullota does not imply that this is a precedent. Every case will have to be decided on its own merit. The timely process of reaching these conclusions have in the past fostered must distrust of the process and motivation for gaining such conclusions. It makes you wonder if the thin line between on duty and off duty is not only thin but also not too straight.

Frank K. Lee

AAPL
Thanks to you it’s working

Black watch
We have asked absolutely nothing of Daley that he has granted. He has totally ignored all our requests, all of our demands, and all of our wishes. He treats Blacks as if they do not exist. Except for a hand picked few Blacks receive nothing from the city government, yet Daley could not remain Mayor without the Black votes. We find our Mayor not even concerned when we ask that our police serve and protect us. Law and order is fine as long as its used against Blacks. When Blacks demand Law and Order in their neighborhood and on the Police Department, the Mayor says no. Black people have only one choice to make and it has to be made now. We can only expect change to come when we change. Lets get rid of the reason why our community is a disaster. Let’s get rid of Mayor Daley.

Renault A. Robinson
Executive Director
AAPL

I AM… MY BROTHER’S KEEPER
Note: from the PRESIDENT Howard Saffold

A police officer was wounded along with a woman when he tried to break up a fight between this victim and the woman with whom she was fighting. This kind of incident is typical and could ordinarily be one that would not receive any unusual attention. However, this particular incident had what appears to be a perspective that might suggest a change from the usual methods practiced by the police.

For instance, one would assume first off, that if a lead slinging woman shoots another woman and then shoots an officer, either the wounded officer and-or his partner would return the fire and of course be justified in doing so. But for some reason, this was not the case. Neither of these officers returned the fire.

The question arises, why not? The fact that all four persons involved were black may suggest that a pinch of compassion may have been present; thereby precluding the normal spontaneous reaction of “we have the grounds to use deadly force”. I would not assume that these officers were influenced by the fact that the offender was a black woman. The thought of this kind of police action being motivated by compassion for a person, a black person, would certainly indicate a conscious effort on our part to project the new image that is talked about, but seldom practiced. That image that calls for a firm but just officer who maintains a noticeable degree of compassion for the lives we are sworn to protect. Only the men involved can say why they acted as they did, however, from where I sit, it appears as though a long overdue breath of fresh air is circulating among the black officers.

A breath of fresh air that allows us to look a little beyond ourselves and actually see the need to re-unite with our community. This breeze seems to be penetrating our age old posture of us (police) against them (community). More than ever before, the black community needs the strong shoulder of their brothers that are charged with serving and protecting them. I am certainly not suggesting that a person shooting an officer is an indication of that person’s need for protection. I am suggesting however, that the vast majority of persons who would ordinarily expect the traditional reaction of the police to “shoot to kill” in this instance, might perceive the act of these officers as one that sets the pace towards regaining respect and confidence from our people. This fresh breeze seems as though it might very well compel us as members of the black community, to set the pace for our white counterpart, as to how we intend to treat our own and certainly how we expect our own to be treated by him.

It seems to suggest that only a fool would allow himself to be used to shoot it out with armed gunmen, rush into burning buildings and dive into deep waters attempting to save a life, and then be expected to stand by mutely while he himself is subjected to discriminatory practices relative to promotions, assignments and disciplinary actions, and while his people are constantly victims of police abuse, poor or no police service at all, and on many occasion both black citizens and black policemen are unjustly arrested, with no attempt on the part of the Chicago Police Department to put a stop to these acts of oppression.

The more this breeze influences us, the more we can anticipate a reaction from those white officers who can’t stand to see you assume the role of the man you are. Our actions will enhance this individual’s sick urge to go out of his way to issue tickets and institute arrests against his fellow officers. The breeze will cause certain supervisors to give you poor ratings, so as to keep you in your place as far as promotions are concerned.

It will cause the nigger haters to wage his own private war against every black he thinks he can take advantage of.These kinds of reactions are to be anticipated, and should be considered an indicator of how well we are progressing toward solidifying our relationship with our community. Taking a chance on being put on the man’s s-- list because you stood up against an injustice is not an easy decision to make, and we should not expect it to be an automatic thing right away, however, as we continue to receive these unwarranted acts of aggression brought on for no reason other than our blackness, it will become more and more apparent to us as member of the community that whether we like it or not, we are all subject to go when the wagon comes. We are our brother's keeper, sisters too!

BROTHERS HELPING BROTHERS TO BE BROTHERS
The National Black Police Association Board of Directors meeting will be held from February 21 thru 23, 1974. The meeting to be held in New Orleans, La. will climax into the Annual Mardi Gras festivities. The host organization is New Orleans’ Black Organization of Police (BOP). Meeting Rooms and accommodations will be housed at Braniff Place Hotel, 1500 Canal St., New Orleans, La. (504)523-4471 B.O.P’s regional representative is Bro. Gustave Thomas. Gus has promised an amicable stay while we take care of plenty business.

P.S. Note from the new editor
Put liberation on your calendar for February and struggle, struggle and continue to struggle until unity is achieved. Pamoja Tutashinde (Together, We Will Win).

Ethel Scott
11313 South Indiana
264-5866

CRIMINAL CHARGES PENDING: Battery

DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF INCIDENT: July 4, 1971, 4:30, at 11313 S. Indiana.

INCIDENT: House was fire bombed July 4, 1971, and son was stabbed during the same incident. He states his family was the first blacks on the block. Son states his family was home and he was sleep. He heard an explosion but paid it no attention, then he heard someone scream, he realized it was his mother. She scream again and this time he jumped up and went outside and notice 3 white youths, one was pouring gasoline over the garage. One of the youths fled and he and the another one of the youths got into a fight.

He went back to his house to call the police, and a white youth in his yard grabbed him over his mouth from behind. He tried to snatch the boy's hand and was stabbed. He tried to work his way free and was stabbed right over the heart. He kicked the white youth and knocked him down, but since no one came to assist him, he let the boy go.

Some called the police and they responded. (Victim lives down the street from 5th District). Instead of arresting the white youths that attacked him they arrested five blacks who were fighting with other white youths in front of his house. He pointed out to the officers one on the youths that attacked him, the officer told him he didn’t know what he was talking about. He had to show the police how badly he was bleeding in order to keep them from beating him. None of the whites involved were arrested. The police had to blocked the street and he was unable to go to the hospital. His mother asked the police to take him and they said wait. He waited about 15 min. before he was taken to Roseland Country Hospital. He arrived and the police told him to wait again. Other blacks there in the hospital protested for the way he was being treated and a fight between one of the officers and a black youth almost broke out. A nurse was called and the victim was taken to a room where he was stretched out on the table. Meanwhile, one of the white youth who was involves in the fight came to the hospital for treatment. The white officer told the nurse to take care of the white boy first.

He was charged with battery but the charges were dropped. Two weeks later the white boy that stabbed him was apprehended by the police, charge with aggravated battery, and taken to court. Despite of victims testimony, he was released.

On Dec, 19, 1971 the house was bombed again. Police was called and a report was made, Nothing was done. They contacted their Alderman and he has done nothing and gave no indication of planning to do anything. He says his brother has been shot at.

On one other occasion, a policeman was at his house when someone threw a brick through his window and he ran out of the house and caught him. The officer refused to make an arrest stating that there were no witnesses and he could not be sure this was the person. Over $1,000 worth of damage has been done to their property. The insurance company wants to cancel their policy and the mother is thinking about moving. As far as he knows his mother has not contacted any legal agency.

OFFICERS INVOLVED
More than 6 (all white)

INJURIES SUSTAINED
Stab wounds in hand and chest

DISPOSITION
Closed

AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL CHICAGO PATROLMEN

At the present time, WE, CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS, have at least six organizations-unions-fraternities, ect. Each claiming to represent the majority and/or the best interests of us. Everyday it seems, another one appears with an offer that betters the last. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!

We do not need any more groups taking our money and splitting us up. We need one and only ONE organization to represent us, and if we cannot force some type of agreement between these existing groups then WE WILL QUIT THEM ALL!!

We are not any organization: we are not for any particular organization, nor have we backing by any organization. We are just a group of Police Officers fed-up with All organizations, each claiming its sole existence is for the benefit of patrolmen. The Time of Confrontation Has Come!!!

We have been manipulated by too many for too long! Join us in forcing an open election, winner take all!

We need volunteers from every district and area to help us circulate a petition. The purpose of this petition will be: #1 Force all of our “concerned” major unions and organizations to hold an open election controlled by an independent outside firm. The expenses of this election to be shared by all participating groups. #2 Each officer under the rank of Sergeant votes for the organization he feels will represent him BEST. #3 Winner receives unanimous support by Chicago Patrolmen to represent them as sole Bargaining Agent. #4 All other organizations may function as before, excluding the right to represent Chicago patrolmen in such matters as Bargaining Agent, Contract with the City, ect.

If the response of these so called “unions” and “Police organizations” are negative, then every officer that signs this petition WILL quit those organizations in which he is a member of.

Open election is the goal of our petition. Any union-organization that does not wish to participate will prove to us that the only thing it is interested in is our money, not our benefit , and will refuse because of fear of losing, and that means no more GOOD TIMES at the Patrolmans Expense: being worried more about its own existence rather than the benefits of the Chicago Policeman! The Time Has Come For These Groups To Finally Stand-Up Or Pack-Up!!!

After this letter is distributed, there is a possibility that one or more organizations will claim that we are either a fraction or a dissenting unit from an existing group. We are not trying to form another union! There are too many already. Since we are independent police officers representing only ourselves as individuals, we do not have the resources nor will we attempt to answer any allegations nor challenges by anyone!

Our only goals and objectives are as follows: to unify Chicago Patrolmen by the following steps: #1 Complete a petition with the signature of the majority of all Chicago Patrolmen, whether one belongs to any existing organization or not. Step #2 Present this list at a press conference Demanding an open election among all interested Police organizations and set a deadline date in which the election must take place. Step #3 If by a certain date there is either no public response or a negative response by these organizations, there will be another press conference in which we will declare that we are Dropping All Of Them!! The public is laughing at us, the City and CPD Officials are pleased because they all know that United we Stand-Divided We Fall. Unless we finally unite ourselves, we will continue being treated as second class citizens. A small group of Patrolmen have started this struggle. Its success can only be accomplished if all of us finally stick together and sign this petition to show our so-called Representatives that Enough is Enough, and we have finally had ENOUGH!!!

There will be a meeting at 3118 N. Lincoln (Burger King) on Thursday, 28 of October 1976 at 7:00 P.M. Where these petitions will be handed out. We ask that every watch, from every district & area send at least one representative out to this meeting to receive enough petitions for his fellow officers to sign, and he will be instructed as to where & when he may return the signed copies. We realize that the above location is not convenient to all of us, but you must realize that we do not have the resources nor the centrally-located offices that the Unions-Organizations have. WE are individual police officers! PLEASE, DO NOT THROW THIS FLIER AWAY AFTER READING IT!! PASS IT ON TO YOUR FELLOW OFFICERS. THE COST OF PRINTING WAS PAID OUT OF THE POCKETS OF POLICEMEN!! 

April 5, 1971

Dear Citizen:

We of the Afro-American Patrolmen’s League would like to call the attention of all citizens to another one of the major reasons why police find it difficult working in the black community.

On Monday February 8, 1971 Lagmont Knazze, a black policeman working in plainclothes, was shot three times, in broad daylight, by a white policeman, who worked in the same unit. The shooting was called an accident, even though the white officer, John Pappas, fired without proper justification, and in violation of Police Department rules and regulations.

The press, and the Chicago Police Department seem to have conspired to keep the story of the Knazze shooting out of their newspapers at a time when the papers are full of other policemen being involved in shooting incidents. It appears they don’t want the public to know that another white policeman has gone free, after shooting another citizen this time he happened to be a black policeman.

We have enclosed reproductions of the few newspaper articles which gave some details of the case; most of the articles are from black community newspapers or black writers working for the white press.

We bring this case to your attention because we feel that when a citizen can be shot down by a policeman, under improper circumstances, and nothing is done about it, it becomes another motivation for policemen to use excessive force in dealing with all citizens. Such actions by policemen also cause even greater hostile actions by citizens; which is why policemen find themselves attacked and shot in the black community.

The public needs to know what is really going on in our communities, if it is to help us work for meaningful social change. We have come to realize that the public must become concerned, and motivated, if we are to succeed.

We ask you to write Mayor Richard J. Daley, and Police Supt. James B. Conlisk Jr. asking that a full investigation of the case be conducted by a specially appointed committee of non-policemen and that a report of this committee’s findings be made public as soon as possible.

We would also ask that all policemen who have records of excessive brutality in the black community be given jobs which require no citizen contact. Officer Pappas, to whom we referred, is such an officer.

We know that the solution to the problem of police community relations will not be solved with this one police situation. We realize too that, even if we did see justice done in this one case, it would not save our city from the kind of destruction by violence it seems to be headed for; but if we start now to become concerned, and involved in matters like this, we are taking a giant step forward.

Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation.

Renault A. Robinson
Executive Director

AFRO-AMERICAN PATROLMEN’S LEAGUE
7126 South Jeffrey - Chicago, Illinois 60649 - 312 667-7384

“Black Power Through the Law”

Dear Concerned Citizen:

We of the AAPL wish to call your attention to the fact that we have initiated a Police Brutality and Complaint Service.

When the AAPL was formed, nearly five years ago, our intention was to deal with the issues of the image of the black policeman in the black community; the image of the white policeman in the black community; and the need for police reform, especially in the area of Police-Community relations.

We feel we have made tremendous progress, especially in making black policemen aware and responsive in their role and responsibility to the black community. But unfortunately, we still have a great deal of work ahead of us in the other two areas.

During 1971, for example, the League got involved in handling police brutality and complaint cases. Working under limited conditions, we handled more than 350 cases in 1971. Towards the end of last year a number of community agencies decided to stop handling police abuse cases. More and more people began to call or to be referred to us. During the month of January, 1972, we handled 41 cases of police brutality. The need is so great that while we are continuing to do all the other things we set out to do we found we had to develop some means of dealing with the growing number of cases.

We have chosen to bring this problem of police brutality to your attention in this manner because, except for the Chicago Daily Defender newspaper, the communications media has not chosen to report problems of police brutality. They seem to have decided for their audiences that poor and black people being beaten severely isn’t worth reporting.

We, as members of the AAPL, want to eliminate police abuse for a number of reasons; first, it would help reduce racial tension between black and white policemen; second, it would make it easier for policemen of all color to work in any community; third, it would probably reduce the volume of crimes and violence in our nation’s cities which arise out of racial oppression and abuse. If we could succeed in this great goal, all the other things we have set out to do would become that much more easier to accomplish and America would be a much safer place for all citizens.

Therefore, we are calling on you, as a concerned citizen, to help us in this worthwhile endeavor. You can help by writing a letter to Mayor Richard J. Daley demanding that he personally initiate a program to eliminate police abuse by taking strong punitive actions against policemen who abuse citizens.

Renault A. Robinson
Executive Director

November 20, 1973

Alderman Clifford Kelly
309 East Garfield Blvd.
Chicago, Illinois 60636

Dear Alderman Kelly:

The image of the Chicago Police Department is at an all time low with the incident of over 60 Chicago Police officers, the Tribune series exploring unchecked police brutality, the federal government's lawsuit charging widespread racial discrimination and finally the resignation of Superintendent James B. Conlisk. Is real police reform at hand?

It appears that the nature of real change demands a crisis first, and if this is the case, now the time has come to make real changes in the present police system. It should be apparent that a new face in the superintendent’s office is merely first aid treatment for advanced cancer - more is needed. The citizens of Chicago deserve a police department free of corruption, brutality and racial discrimination, lead by a seasoned professional.

Please read the enclosed report and study the recommendations for police reform - then make your position known to the mayor. Please, you must insist on excellence in city police service. Chicago cannot survive with a police department that lacks citizens confidence, and fails to combat rising crime.

Sincerely yours,

Renault A. Robinson
Executive Director

November 4, 1974

Mr. Muhammad Ali
% Mr. Richard Durham
2625 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60616

Dear Mr. Muhammad Ali:

Congratulations on regaining your crown as Heavyweight Champion of the World. There should have been no doubt in anyone’s mind that the crown rightfully belongs to you because you truly are the greatest boxer of all times.

The Afro-American Patrolmen’s league each year awards its National Award to an individual (or individuals) who, on a national level, represents pride and have made some contribution toward social justice or national unity among Black people. Last year our Award was presented to twelve Black Mayors at a dinner ceremony at McCormick Place.

This year our Board of Directors have unanimously chosen you to be the recipient of our Award. This Award will be presented on either Saturday, January 18, 1975; Saturday, January 25, 1975; or Saturday, February 1, 1975, whichever date is most convenient for your schedule. We will, of course, pay all expenses for you to attend this ceremony.

We are aware that you are currently raising funds for a new Black hospital here in the City of Chicago. We support you in that endeavor and will make a contribution for the hospital to you on the night of the dinner to show Black folks the necessity of supporting Black institutions.

Letters very rarely communicate fully an idea, therefore, myself and our organizations president, Howard Saffold, would like to meet with you at your convenience to go over this entire matter in greater detail and also provide you with additional information on the background, the goals and accomplishments of the Afro-American Patrolmen’s League.

Sincerely yours,

Renault A. Robinson
Executive Director

July 14, 1973

Mr. Marlin Johnson
President
Chicago Police Board
1121 South State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60605

Dear Mr. Johnson:

Enclosed you will find a series of cases involving individuals whom we consider to be psychologically maladjusted police personnel. We believe these cases represent a characteristic sample of some of the types of misfits who wear the Chicago Police uniforms.

We believe at least 5% of the present Chicago Police Department membership are psychologically maladjusted and that most of these are working in the Black community. The present system employed by the Chicago Police Department to screen out psychologically maladjusted personnel is not adequately doing the job.

We are specifically requesting the Police Board to dismiss the officers involved in the enclosed cases. Hopefully, the Police Board will cause the present Police Department’s psychological testing program to be strengthened and require that all present Chicago Police personnel undergo an improved psychological testing program.

Please let us know what steps the Board will take in this matter.

Sincerely,
Renault A. Robinson
Executive Director


cc: Clayton Kirkpatrick, Chicago Tribune
James Hoge, Chicago Sun-Times
Daryle Feldmeir, Chicago Daily News
Tom Picou, Chicago Daily Defender 
Marshall Patner, Chicago Law Enforcement Study Group
Daniel Tucker, Chicago Today