As I followed the exploits of Vincent Harvey and his desire to be a Trenton police officer, it became clear to me that nasty, nasty racism was alive and well in the early part of the 20th century. The pages of the Trenton papers from that era held many articles detailing the off duty and on duty negative behavior of white policemen. There were obviously many local Trentonians who didn't like the idea of a black man assuming the role of protector of the people. Interestingly, the candidate who replaced officer Harvey, a young man named John Green was also dismissed on a number of accounts including intoxication while on duty. 
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Friday, February 17, 2012
1917: TRENTON'S FIRST BLACK POLICE OFFICER
As I followed the exploits of Vincent Harvey and his desire to be a Trenton police officer, it became clear to me that nasty, nasty racism was alive and well in the early part of the 20th century. The pages of the Trenton papers from that era held many articles detailing the off duty and on duty negative behavior of white policemen. There were obviously many local Trentonians who didn't like the idea of a black man assuming the role of protector of the people. Interestingly, the candidate who replaced officer Harvey, a young man named John Green was also dismissed on a number of accounts including intoxication while on duty.
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