Miami in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Historic Negro Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum: The First Five
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, July 13, 2023
1. The Historic Negro Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum: The First Five Marker
Inscription.
The Historic Negro Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum: The First Five. . In 1944, the City of Miami hired its first five black police officers who were sworn in as "emergency patrolmen" to enforce the law in what was then called the Central Negro District. These stalwart men were Ralph White, Moody Hall, Clyde Lee, Edward Kimball, and John Miledge. By 1945, ten more officers were added. A precinct building was constructed in 1950, and served as a station house and courtroom. It was designed by Walter C. DeGarmo (1876-1951), one of Miami’s first and most prominent architects. Lawson E. Thomas, judge of the Negro Municipal Court, presided over the precinct’s courtroom. He was the first black judge elected in the South since Reconstruction, and Miami’s first black judge. In 1955, the City of Miami appointed its second black municipal judge, John Johnson. He presided alongside five Jewish judges, who had sacrificed their careers to serve at the “colored courthouse.” The Negro Precinct was unique because it was designed, devoted to, and operated as a segregated station house and court. There was no other known to exist in the country at that time. It served as a blueprint for community policing practices, and provided an opportunity for black defendants in Miami to receive proper due process. , A Florida Heritage Site
In 1944, the City of Miami hired its first five black police officers who were sworn in as "emergency patrolmen" to enforce the law in what was then called the Central Negro District. These stalwart men were Ralph White, Moody Hall, Clyde Lee, Edward Kimball, and John Miledge. By 1945, ten more officers were added. A precinct building was constructed in 1950, and served as a station house and courtroom. It was designed by Walter C. DeGarmo (1876-1951), one of Miami’s first and most prominent architects. Lawson E. Thomas, judge of the Negro Municipal Court, presided over the precinct’s courtroom. He was the first black judge elected in the South since Reconstruction, and Miami’s first black judge. In 1955, the City of Miami appointed its second black municipal judge, John Johnson. He presided alongside five Jewish judges, who had sacrificed their careers to serve at the “colored courthouse.” The Negro Precinct was unique because it was designed, devoted to, and operated as a segregated station house and court. There was no other known to exist in the country at that time. It served as a blueprint for community policing practices, and provided an opportunity for black defendants in Miami to receive proper due process.
A Florida Heritage Site
Erected 2018 by City of Miami Retired Police Officers
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Community Benevolent Assocation, Miami Community Police Benevolent Association, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency, H.T. Smith, esq, Chief Anita Najiy, Myhistorytour.com and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1045.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.
Location. 25° 47.057′ N, 80° 12.181′ W. Marker is in Miami, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. Marker is at the intersection of Northwest 5th Avenue and Northwest 11th Street, on the right when traveling north on Northwest 5th Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 480 Northwest 11th Street, Miami FL 33136, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. The Historic Negro Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum
Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 21, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.