SAMUEL J. BATTLE

First African American Police Officer Hired by the NYPD
First African American Sergeant and Lieutenant

   
As the son of former slaves, Samuel Battle was undaunted by racial barriers and became the first African American hired by the NYPD. Born in 1883 in North Carolina, Battle moved north, eventually settling in Harlem. Battle decided to join the NYPD in 1910, at a time when no African American had been hired after the consolidation of New York City in 1898. After quietly fighting his initial rejection, Battle was appointed to the NYPD June 28, 1911. Battle overcame the silent treatment and hazing by his fellow white officers, and would go on to serve the 38th Precinct in Harlem for many years. Breaking racial barriers once again, Battle achieved two historic promotions, becoming the NYPD's first African American sergeant in 1926, and the first African American lieutenant in 1935. In 1941, after 30 years on the force, Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia appointed Battle the first African American parole commissioner in New York City. He served in this position until 1950.