Police Chief

He worked quietly but persistently for racial change in policing

MILITARY SERVICE TO COLLEGE

BJ graduated from high school in Washington, D.C. and enlisted in the Army. Re-entering civilian life, he enrolled at Howard University (at the time, 100% African-American students) to major in engineering (he liked math) but left college after one year “because I didn’t want to be a financial burden on my family.” 

CONSIDERATION OF FAMILY LEADS TO CHANGE OF CAREER PATH

BJ’s first job became the basis for his long career in law enforcement: he started as a rookie police officer when the police force was made up of 10% African-Americans within the city of 35% African-American residents. 

PROMOTIONS EARNED

Through his dedication to police work, BJ gradually gained promotion to other police units, including the morals division, Detective Sergeant in the robbery unit, Head of field operations for the entire police force and eventually became the first African-American Chief of the District of Columbia Police force.

He was sworn into office as Police Chief by the D.C. Mayor in a five-minute ceremony with no mention of his ethnicity, at his request.

HELPING OTHERS WITHIN THE SAME PROFESSION

Having observed White police officers often taking credit for arrests after the important investigations were completed by African-American officers and believing that his ethnic brothers and sisters had been unreasonably denied promotions due to the color of their skin, BJ and another police officer organized secret weekly meetings among young African-American police officers to prepare them for their examinations for promotion. BJ insisted on no soda or alcohol or smoking at these meetings, just serious intentions. If you don’t seek promotion, you are not right for this group.