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Editorial
March 12, 1947
Atlanta Daily World
Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia
What is this article about?
Atlanta's new Police Chief Herbert Jenkins urges officers to prioritize tact and common sense over force in preventing crime, a message welcomed by Negro citizens amid concerns over racial bias and brutality in policing.
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"Tact, Not Blackjack"
Atlanta's new Police Chief Herbert Jenkins, has come forth with a suggestion that is bound to strike a responsive chord in the hearts of Negro citizens. Inaugurating the Police Training School here Monday. Mr. Jenkins told the policemen that today's law enforcement officers have risen to the rank of a skilled profession, which works as hard to prevent crime as it does to arrest violators: and that as such, the modern police officer relies "more on common sense and tact than he does on his blackjack and his pistol."
Atlanta Negroes can have nothing but the greatest appreciation for the sound wisdom and timely advice given by Chief Jenkins. We once heard the late Judge Bascom S. Deaver, in charging a jury, say: "An officer of the law is never to use force at anytime, save as a last resort, even then, one should only use such force and no more, than is absolutely necessary to subdue his prisoner."
Contrast that with what many Negroes experience in certain areas of Atlanta. Better still, apply what Chief Jenkins has outlined, and we get an opportunity to see how far short some members of our present police force are from the mark. We do not think this should be made to apply to most of our police officers. There are many fine men on the force who have won the confidence of all Negroes in Atlanta. But there are Negroes among us who have heard certain white men express the hope that they would become policemen one day "so I can kill a n-er." We do not know whether any of these men are at present or whether they have ever been on the force. Our only excuse for mentioning it is to point out the danger in that sort of ambition to become a police officer. We go even further by suggesting that it is the duty of a police officer, especially in a community where there are no Negro officers, to work for harmonious race relations. For who in a community can touch off a race riot more easily than a policeman who fails to exercise a proper regards for the personality and rights of other racial groups?
Atlanta's new Police Chief Herbert Jenkins, has come forth with a suggestion that is bound to strike a responsive chord in the hearts of Negro citizens. Inaugurating the Police Training School here Monday. Mr. Jenkins told the policemen that today's law enforcement officers have risen to the rank of a skilled profession, which works as hard to prevent crime as it does to arrest violators: and that as such, the modern police officer relies "more on common sense and tact than he does on his blackjack and his pistol."
Atlanta Negroes can have nothing but the greatest appreciation for the sound wisdom and timely advice given by Chief Jenkins. We once heard the late Judge Bascom S. Deaver, in charging a jury, say: "An officer of the law is never to use force at anytime, save as a last resort, even then, one should only use such force and no more, than is absolutely necessary to subdue his prisoner."
Contrast that with what many Negroes experience in certain areas of Atlanta. Better still, apply what Chief Jenkins has outlined, and we get an opportunity to see how far short some members of our present police force are from the mark. We do not think this should be made to apply to most of our police officers. There are many fine men on the force who have won the confidence of all Negroes in Atlanta. But there are Negroes among us who have heard certain white men express the hope that they would become policemen one day "so I can kill a n-er." We do not know whether any of these men are at present or whether they have ever been on the force. Our only excuse for mentioning it is to point out the danger in that sort of ambition to become a police officer. We go even further by suggesting that it is the duty of a police officer, especially in a community where there are no Negro officers, to work for harmonious race relations. For who in a community can touch off a race riot more easily than a policeman who fails to exercise a proper regards for the personality and rights of other racial groups?
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Or Punishment
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
Police Tact
Race Relations
Atlanta Police
Police Brutality
Law Enforcement Reform
What entities or persons were involved?
Herbert Jenkins
Atlanta Police
Negro Citizens
Judge Bascom S. Deaver
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Police Emphasis On Tact Over Force In Race Relations
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Police Reform And Critical Of Racial Bias In Law Enforcement
Key Figures
Herbert Jenkins
Atlanta Police
Negro Citizens
Judge Bascom S. Deaver
Key Arguments
Modern Police Should Rely On Common Sense And Tact Rather Than Blackjack And Pistol
Law Officers Should Use Force Only As A Last Resort And Minimally Necessary
Many Atlanta Police Fall Short Of These Ideals, Though Most Are Fine
Danger Of Racially Motivated Individuals Becoming Police
Police Duty To Promote Harmonious Race Relations To Prevent Riots