Historic second as 12 African-American law enforcement leaders replicate on civil rights historical past on Greensboro 4 anniversary

GREENSBORO, NC – If you asked Sheriff Danny Rogers if he envisioned being Sheriff of Guilford County over sixty years ago, his answer would have been “no.”

If you were to ask this question to a law enforcement chief, they would most likely give you the same answer.

But on February 1, 2021, Danny Rogers, Bobby Kimbrough, Catrina Thompson and Brian James can hold the tiles of the Greensboro or Winston-Salem Police Chief or the Sheriff of Guilford or Forsyth Counties despite the shortcomings of civil justice that are still causing the rifts of America .

For the first time in the state’s history, African Americans hold the titles of police chief, county sheriff, or highway commander in six of the state’s largest cities and six of the state’s largest counties.

“I’m speechless,” said Sheriff Rogers the first time he had to stand side by side with his colleagues, MPs and soldiers.

The meeting included sheriffs from Forsyth, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Wake, Durham, and Cumberland counties, and police chiefs from Charlotte, Durham, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem.

After a summer of protests and calls for civil justice / law enforcement reform, Winston-Salem Police Chief Catrina Thompson thought it was time to go through history to ponder what has and has not changed.

She chose February 1st to do just that. Not only does it mark the start of Black History Month, but it also marks the 61st anniversary of the sit-in on the Greensboro Four at Woolworth’s lunch tables.

“It is important to highlight the importance of this day and this place and this state,” Chief Thompson described that moment in history. “And then to connect that with what we are in our state in terms of law enforcement and the law enforcement of African Americans.”

The International Civil Rights Center and Museum is built around the old Woolworth’s Diner and Drug Store. In 1960, it was the place where Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair Jr., and David Richmond came in to ask for service. When they were refused service because of their skin color, they refused to go.

This helped fuel the seated movement during the era of civil rights.

For Chief Thompson and the other law enforcement leaders who attended Monday’s meeting, stepping in and reflecting on that moment allowed for more perspective on what has happened in society today.

“Law enforcement has historically been used as an arm of repression against African Americans and people of color,” said Chief Thompson. “And in order to see where we come from and where we are today, I thought it is worth highlighting and recognizing not only for our time today, but also for future generations.”

The event also comes at a time when local law enforcement agencies are struggling to hire African American recruits.

Chief Thompson said it had a lot to do with the past, but also with what we see in the present. “

Especially those with color who are looking at this profession and might have an interest in participating in it. With all the negativity that comes with the job, I thought it was important for her to see people who look like her in those positions, ”said Chief Thompson.

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