• Facebook
  • Google Plus
  • Instagram
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter

Menu

Skip to content
  • About
  • Staff
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
Header image

MyNewsLA.comLogo

Breaking news for greater Los Angeles and Orange County

Menu

Skip to content
  • Crime
  • Government
  • Business
  • Education
  • Hollywood
  • Life
  • OC
  • Riverside
  • Weather
  • No Tickets Sold With All Six Powerball Lottery Numbers
  • Rams' Aaron Donald Accused of Assaulting Man in Pittsburgh Club
  • Orange County Real Estate Agent Charged with Tax Fraud
  • Wheelchair Bound Man Shot and Killed in Lancaster
  • Parolee Suspected of Leaving Injured Girls at Crash Scene Surrenders

Home » Uncategorized » This Article

Police Commissioners Vote to Ceremonially Reinstate LA’s First Black Officer

Posted by Contributing Editor on February 23, 2021 in Crime | Leave a response
Share this article:
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

The Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners voted Tuesday to ceremonially reinstate the first Black officer in Los Angeles, Robert William Stewart, who lost his job in 1900 after being accused of assaulting a teenage girl, an allegation that Stewart was acquitted of and had denied.

His reinstatement was part of the Los Angeles Police Department’s efforts to re-evaluate its history, according to a letter Chief Michel Moore sent to the commission in support of Stewart’s reinstatement.

“Robert William Stewart was born into slavery on March 1, 1850. In 1886, he moved to Los Angeles with his family; and on March 30, 1889, Stewart and Joseph Henry Green were selected to become the first African American officers within the ranks of the Los Angeles Police Department,” Moore said.

Stewart worked for the LAPD until 1900, when he was arrested by detectives for allegedly assaulting a 15-year-old girl he met while on patrol. Stewart admitted that he spoke to the girl, but he denied having any physical contact, Moore said.

His first trial ended in a deadlocked jury, and during his second trial, the jury found him not guilty after less than 40 minutes, according to Moore.

However, the LAPD did not rehire Stewart, and he spent the next few decades of his life, until he died in 1931, as a laborer and janitor.

“In light of these circumstances, I am asking that the commissioners join the department in restoring Stewart’s legacy over the course of this Black History Month,” Moore said.

Moore also called for the Central Area roll call room to be named the Robert William Stewart Roll Call Room.

“I recognize that none of these actions can restore in death what was denied Policeman Stewart in life. But I firmly believe that correcting this wrong can serve as one of many steps on the path to true reconciliation and progress,” Moore said.

Like this story? Don’t miss any breaking news from MyNewsLA.com. Sign up here for your free newsletter.

 
Police Commissioners Vote to Ceremonially Reinstate LA’s First Black Officer was last modified: February 23rd, 2021 by Contributing Editor

>> Want to read more stories like this? Get our Free Daily Newsletters Here!

Follow us:
Facebooktwitterrss
Posted in Crime | Tagged black, Ceremonially, commissioners, first, LA's, officer, police, Reinstate, Vote

Advertisement

Get The Latest News by Email!

Sign up here for our free newsletters. We’ll send you the latest headlines every morning and every weekday afternoon.

 
FORECAST FOR LOS ANGELES
46°
Clear
Feels like: 46°F
Wind: 3mph E
Humidity: 65%
Pressure: 29.82"Hg
UV index: 0
ThuFriSat
66/50°F
75/48°F
70/48°F
Weather forecast Los Angeles, California ▸

Most Popular Today

  • Mom, Dad Battle Over Handgun As Two Horrified Pomona Kids Watch: She’s Killed, He Gets Murder Charge 8,000 views
  • ‘Small, Defenseless’ Bloody Chihuahua Stabbed To Death, Tossed Over Thousand Palms Fence: ‘Horrible Harm’ Suspect 3,800 views
  • MoVal Woman Allegedly Shoots at Ex During Child Custody Exchange 2,600 views
  • Documentary on Riverside Murder Premieres Wednesday on Netflix 2,400 views
  • One Man, Two Women Arrested in Connection with String of Robberies 1,400 views

©2021 CalNews Inc.

Menu

  • About
  • Staff
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service