Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Police unit
A history making promotion in the Burbank Police Department. Veteran police officer, Jamal Childs, has been upped from school resources officer to detective. This is the first time in 100 years — that’s right — that an African American cop has been promoted in the BPD.
In the past, black officers were ignored or the rules of promotion changed once they were in line to move up to the next level. For too long, police brass and city officials made flimsy excuses for the discrimination and pretended there were no qualified black candidates.
I doubt this promotion has occurred because of a sudden desire in City Hall to do what is right and fair. I suspect it’s fallout from those lawsuits charging discrimination, harassment, and misconduct in the BPD and that probe by the U.S. Justice Department into what is now known as “the police mess.”
Burbank is throwing a huge party on July 8, 2011 to celebrate the city’s centennial. Now if discrimination and racism were completely and totally eradicated from all aspects of Burbank city government — that would be reason for some serious partying.
BTW, those of us that are acquainted with Detective Childs would hasten to add to your remarks that he has had the opportunity to demonstrate his ability to perform his duties in various assignments and distinguished himself in that performance.
THIS Detective EARNED it.
Congrats!!
Great story, Fronnie. All I can say is: It is about time.