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U.S. Police History Notable Facts

<<"In 1916: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) hires the world's first known Black policewoman: Georgia Ann Robinson. Born in 1879 — just 14 years after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States — Georgia Ann Robinson grew up to be the country’s first-known Black policewoman. Robinson, who started as a volunteer as an LAPD jail matron, became a paid officer tackling homicide cases (and others) by 1919. After being blinded by breaking up a jail fight, she was forced to retire and founded the Sojourner Truth Home, a shelter for women and children, and fought to desegregate schools."

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "A History of Women in Law Enforcement: 1916: Los Angeles Hires the World’s First Black Policewoman." Women's History Month 2023. ICE.gov.

"One of the most famous African American pioneers in law enforcement was Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass (pronounced băss, like the fish) Reeves. Born into slavery in Arkansas, Reeves fled to Indian Territory, in what later became Oklahoma, and became a Union soldier in the Civil War. Through his time with the American Indians, Reeves became well versed in the languages and customs of the Five Tribes of the Great Plains. From there, thanks to his talent with a rifle, Reeves was a regular recruit for Oklahoma Marshals putting together posses to hunt down criminals in the frontier... Under the famously violent court of Judge Isaac Parker, the infamous “Hanging Judge,” Reeves tracked down dozens of criminals. It is believed that he arrested more than 3,000 outlaws and may have ended the lives of 44 men in shootouts over the course of his career.">>

Source: Issit, Micah. "Representation Matters: Diversity in American Policing (1886-1910)." Opinions Throughout History: Law Enforcement in America. Grey House Publishing, 2021.

Students may want to check out the new streaming tv series at Paramount+, Lawmen: Bass Reeves [Trailer] released November 2023!