Nat’l Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers Urges Raimondo to Keep Pledge
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Lieutenant Charles P. Wilson, the National Chairman of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers has sent Governor Gina Raimondo a strongly worded letter urging her to conduct a national search for the new head of the State Police -- and to carefully consider four strong Rhode Island law enforcement officers of color for the position.
The letter for Wilson to Raimondo sent Wednesday states:
We encourage you to follow through on this measure (Raimondo’s promise to conduct a national search) . While, indeed, I am personally familiar with not less than four (4) highly qualified professionals of color within Rhode Island, and a minimum of twice that number from surrounding states, there is no absolute guarantee that any of these individuals will either be interested or would actively seek to apply for the position of Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police. And seeking to constrain this appointment to an internal candidate will only serve to further perpetuate the already dismal lack of diversity that exists within the Rhode Island law enforcement community. Consequently, it may only be through the conduct of a nationally intensive, comprehensive search for this position that you may ensure a process that is adequately diverse in nature and intent.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAs well, we strongly urge that senior members of the minority law enforcement community within the state, as well as members of the community, be an integral part of the anticipated review process once candidates for the position have been identified. It is only through their active participation that the process of choosing a successor will be considered to be both transparent and legitimate.
This is not the only action by the NABLEO, in August, Wilson wrote a letter to the Governor:
The head of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers (NABLEO) is urging Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo take action, stating that it was "woefully disappointing" that the most recent Rhode Island State Police (RISP) class had "not even one African American included among the recent graduates."
In a letter dated August 5, NABLEO Chairman Lt. Charles Wilson urges the RISP to "redouble" its efforts to recruit persons of color, after he said out of 1,500 applicants, one Hispanic male and one white female were the only exceptions to the nearly all-white male graduating class. READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE
Related Slideshow: 5 Economic Projects - Can Raimondo Get Them Done?
Related Articles
- NEW: Nat’l Black Police Officers Blast RI State Police in Letter to Raimondo
- UPDATED: O’Donnell Out as Head of RI State Police
- Col. O’Donnell Says Corruption Allegations Should be Referred to RI State Police
- NAACP Providence Will Celebrate Brown v. Board of Education Anniversary
- Hodgson Stands with NAACP on Reducing Violence
- GoLocalProv’s Nagle Wins NAACP Award for Diversity Coverage - 3rd Major Award in 2014
- NEW: Providence NAACP’S Vincent Calls Highway Protest “Disheartening”
- NEW: New England NAACP Calls for Marijuana Legalization in RI
- NEW: Providence NAACP Issues Call to Action with Community Groups
- NAACP President: Disappointed In Chafee
- NEW: NAACP, Mollis to Register Voters, Provide Free Voter IDs Saturday
- NAACP: Black-Owned Night Clubs Unfairly Fined
- NAACP President Jim Vincent to Receive “Living the Dream” Award
- NEW: NAACP Providence Branch to Host Selma Screening on Saturday
- NAACP Condemns Police Union’s Response to Abuse Complaints
- NEW: Viola Davis Nominated as Entertainer of the Year by NAACP Image Awards
- Prov Bar Owner and Head of NAACP Spar Over “Racist” Facebook Post
- Head of the NAACP Asks FBI to Investigate PC Bottle Incident as a Hate Crime
- NEW: NAACP Providence Branch to Honor Five at Freedom Fund Gala
- NAACP Providence Youth Council Taking Part in America’s Journey for Justice
- NAACP Providence Branch to Host 102nd Annual Freedom Fund Breakfast this Saturday
- NAACP Decries Lack of Judges of Color in RI
- Rachel Dolezal Quits NAACP in Spokane
- GoLocalTV: NAACP’s Jim Vincent Condemns Providence Police Action