Texans found first black police organization in the country

On this day in 1935, black police officers in South Texas organized the Texas Negro Peace Officers Association, the first black police organization in the United States. Its early efforts included overcoming hostility toward black peace officers, providing burial and defense funds for its members, and promoting the hiring of black officers. Improvement in race relations and the formation of local black police associations have allowed the organization to concentrate on scholarships and assistance to the needy. In 2001 state headquarters of the organization, now called the Texas Peace Officers Association, were in Dallas.