When Joseph S. Johnson was appointed acting chief of the Annapolis Police Department eight months ago, he was given a department in which officers were divided by racial tensions and frustrated by lack of opportunity. Morale had sunk so low that the police union had voted no confidence in his predecessor, Chief Harold Robbins.
Today, Mr. Johnson will be sworn in as permanent police chief of a transformed department. Morale has improved and racial tensions have dissipated because Mr. Johnson made the welfare of his officers his top priority. His accomplishments have won the praises of union leaders, city officials and his own men.
One officer referred to him as a "policeman's policeman."
As Annapolis' first African-American police chief, Mr. Johnson's success is testament to how far the department has come since the days when black city police officers were not allowed to drive patrol cars or even arrest white suspects. More than that, it is an example of how much one dedicated and talented person can achieve if given the opportunity.
Efforts had been made in the past to encourage the hiring and promotion of minorities on the Annapolis police force, but those attempts often ended up worsening racial tensions. Mr. Robbins, for example, disregarded a promotional list and elevated five blacks to the rank of corporal, inviting a court challenge and a controversy that eventually led to the chief's resignation.
The plain-spoken Mr. Johnson took a different approach to solve this vexing problem. After being appointed acting Annapolis police chief, he reorganized the department to provide promotional opportunities for both black and white officers who had long been stuck at the same rank. But Mr. Johnson insisted that everyone promoted meet nationally recognized police standards.
Annapolis has benefited from increased professionalism in the police department. Mr. Johnson has tried to give residents the protection they deserve by increasing foot patrols and implementing community policing programs.
More work lies ahead. City officers will be seeking benefits comparable to those enjoyed by county police, and the state capital city of 34,000 residents is increasingly experiencing crime problems typical of urban areas. We are confident Mr. Johnson will be able to address these concerns. We congratulate him and the city on his appointment.