Criminal Justice Practice Exam

Which statement is NOT true regarding the first black police officers in America?

1. They were "free men of color."

2. They were hired around 1805 for the New Orleans City watch system.

3. They were hired primarily because others did not want the job.

4. They were slaves.

The correct answer is: They were slaves.

The statement that is not true regarding the first black police officers in America is that they were slaves. In fact, the early black police officers were often "free men of color." This distinction is significant because it highlights the roles that free individuals played in law enforcement during that period, notably in places like New Orleans where they were incorporated into the city watch system. The reference to hiring occurring around 1805 connects to the establishment of organized policing efforts, which involved individuals who were granted their freedom and were looking to engage in employment that was often shunned by others. Historically, the hiring of black officers has frequently been associated with a lack of interest from the broader population, leading to opportunities for free men of color to take on these roles. This context illustrates the evolution of the police workforce and the socio-economic conditions of that time.