Who We Are

As early as 1804, Black Americans were among the first settlers in Miami-Dade County. For many years, Blacks were mistreated in Miami, and this mistreatment led to the sheriffs of Dade County refusing to hire them in the 1940’s-50. For many years, Black Officers had been denied their just dues partly because of racist attitudes, however in 1953 Mr. Amos Jenkins became the first Deputy Sheriff and began to recruit other blacks to join the force and to help protect and serve Miami’s growing communities. The 60’s and 70’s brought in a wave of black officers; most notable is the first Black Female Officer, Ms. Thelma Harris whom became influential in recruiting black females for Miami-Dade and the City of Miami Police Departments. Although the numbers were increasing, blacks were not allowed to go pass the rank of Sergeant or join special assignment units. Not sitting well with this new breed of officers, they wanted change! They desired change because they wanted equality. They wanted equality economically, socially, and professionally. After constantly dealing with supervisors that subjected them to double standards in disciplinary action and job security they had finally had enough! They knew it was time to get organized.

In 1971, during the heighten era of Black Awareness, 5 Black Officers had a secret meeting in the back of a furniture store in Liberty City to discuss all their concerns. From that night The Progressive Officers Club was founded by Jack Wheeler, Joseph Silas, Willie Morrison, Joseph Turner, and Robert Spicer. The 2nd meeting with Harrison Crenshaw, Simmons Arrington, Robert Spicer, Aaron Campbell Jr., Marvin Wiley, Joseph Turner, George Busbee, Jack Wheeler, and Joseph Silas at Officer’s Harrison Crenshaw home was the night they became organized electing Sergeant Willie J. Morrison as the President and Officer Aaron Campbell Jr. giving the organization its name Progressive Officers Club. By late 1972, the POC membership was growing, however blacks were still not given the opportunity to work in specialized units, promotions were still slow and many blacks were still receiving disproportionate disciplinary action, terminations and many had started being killed in the line of duty; not receiving respectful burials. Also during that time Sergeant Willie J. Morrison became the first black promoted to position of Lieutenant.

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This pushed the POC members to form a not-for –profit incorporation. A three membered charter committee consisting of Delmar Stirrup, Shirley Gibson, and Aaron Campbell Jr., did that and on March 12, 1975, The Progressive Officers Club officially became a corporation.  As a result of POC becoming organized they retained an attorney and began to hold Dade County Sheriff’s Department accountable for their disrespect towards black officers. This lead to several lawsuits from the 70’s to the 90’s. Since then, the POC has been very influential throughout the South Florida community in assisting other organizations and becoming more engaged in fundraisers, social, and community events. We have been in existence for 54 years, and incorporated for 50, and we are still actively supporting Law Enforcement. With an active Executive Board, our membership consists of 500 members (sworn/civilian) from Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and Miami-Dade County Corrections & Rehabilitation Department.