First African-American Policemen
Ledger, March 7, 1954
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| As
reported by the Ledger in 1954- Police Chief Leo Brooker stated yesterday that, Sammy L. Williams and Sammy L. King, the first African-American Policemen have already proven themselves to be assets to the department. Since the new recrutes finished basic training and doned the uniform one month ago in Feburary, they have made more than 50 arrests, these included, 3 arrests for possession of lottery paraphernalia, 2 for possession of untaxed liquor, 2 for DUI , 11 for drunkeness and 28 for traffic violations. King and Williams will soon have more help in their jobs of patroling the city's black sections. Police Chief Brooker announced yesterday that 2 more African-American policemen have been named to the force and are starting their one-month training before donning the uniforms. The new recruits are, Thomas E. Hodge and Edgar Pickett, Jr. Chief Brooker said the employment of these 4 men has materially aided the force in keeping Law and Order in Lakeland. The one month training includes the study of municipal ordinances, note taking, reporting and writing of courtroom procedure and accident investigation and handling trffic and the use of weapons. Chief Brooker pointed out " any new policeman has a lot to learn and police training is never orver." |
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