Reuben C. Bankhead, Charles C. Coleman, Lester Grissom, Leroy Hendricks, and Robert Nero, 2015 June 8
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This is a group oral history interview with Reuben C. Bankhead, Charles C. Coleman, Lester H. Grissom, Leroy Hendricks, and Robert Nero. They share stories from their time in the New York City Police Department (NYPD) during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. They were all members of the NYPD Guardians Association, and speak about how the organization influenced their careers. The conversation spans racial equality issues in NYPD, including promotion exams, and instances of retaliation for speaking out against prejudice. They describe the conflict between the NYPD Guardians Association and the NYPD Patrolmen's Benevolent Association over the attempted establishment of a Civilian Complaint Review Board in 1966. They also remember several lawsuits reversing discriminatory hiring and promotional practices.
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Reuben Bankhead grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. He joined the New York City Police Department in 1958. Throughout his 23-year career he worked in the Manhattan Narcotics Division, the Brooklyn North Youth Squad, and the Homicide Division. He attained the rank of third grade detective before retiring in 1981. He was an active member of the NYPD Guardians Association, holding the office of First Vice President.
Charles Coleman grew up in Harlem, New York and joined the New York City Police Department at age nineteen as part of the police trainee program. At age twenty-one, he was sworn in as a patrolman. During his career, he worked in the NYPD Tactical Patrol Force, the NYPD Arson Task Force, the NYPD Narcotics Division, and the Civilian Complaint Review Board among others. After 23 years on the job, he retired as a lieutenant in 1988.
Lester H. Grissom was born and grew up in the Bronx. He joined the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 1957. He began as a patrolman in his home borough, the Bronx. Over the course of his career became a Community Affairs officer, and was also a member of the NYPD Guardians Association.
Leroy Hendricks joined the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 1968. He was the first black officer to be assigned to the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Over his 20-year career, he was an active member of the NYPD Guardians Association.
Robert Nero was a trustee of the Guardians Association. As a member of the Housing Police for 29 years of his 35-year career, 1966 to 2001, he served on the Executive Board of the Housing PBA, and was the vice president for the Housing Guardians Association. During that time he worked on patrol and then as a community affairs officer. He transferred to NYPD in the merger of 1995 and continued with Community Affairs.
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