Atlanta Daily World

Time To Lift Police Limitations

Miami, Florida, continues to lead other southern cities in liberal policies and improved race relations. Now comes the announcement that the Miami Civil Service Board has wiped out the distinctions-between white and Negro policemen. The board voted unanimously to lift all restrictions and limitations on its Negro police officers. The board action is subject to ratification by the city commission.

Thus, in Miami there are to be no more racial quotas in the police department. Negroes can now take examinations to become lieutenants and captains-high ranks previously denied them. This is as it should be, and not only in Miami. The time is long past due when Atlanta city officials should have taken whatever steps are necessary to lift restrictions and limitations under which Negro members of the police force now labor.

When first appointed in 1948, Negro officers were limited to eight, who passed stiff qualifying tests. They now number 33, having emerged to headquarters from a lowly "precinct" status in the basement of the Butler Street YMCA, where they had to shed uniform before appearing in court. Four of the patrolmen have been promoted to detectives, but none holds the rank of sergeant. They have done an excellent job, both on foot and in radio patrol cars, helping to control criminal elements. But, everybody admits that their number should be increased.

The time has come for Atlanta, like Miami, to forget the matter- of "race" in law enforcement. We like to believe that Atlanta is the South's most progressive and intellectual city. It is time for Atlanta to cease all embarrassing and frustrating limitations and restrictions imposed on Negro officers. Let the city fathers give intelligent consideration to a reported continuing policy to instruct Negro officers not to arrest white violators, except to hold them and call for assistance from headquarters, a right any citizen has under the laws of "citizen arrest." Pressure techniques should not be necessary to bring about changes of a condition which affect the safety and welfare of all citizens. Although we hate to say it, since we generally challenge other cities to follow Atlanta's example in all things progressive and right, we would like to see our Gate City follow Miami's example in wiping out police distinctions.