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For nearly three years, a trophy proclaiming a Black detective in the Wilmington Police Department the “whitest Black guy in the office” sat on the officer’s desk.
That’s according to City Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo, who in a newsletter item Thursday, described how a Black male detective in the Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division was presented the trophy during roll call as a Christmas present from his white male supervisor in 2019.
“It has been displayed on the detective’s desk for everyone to see since it was presented to him,” Congo wrote. “While President Congo understands that the recipient might be ok with receiving this trophy, it has offended several Black detectives as well as other Black officers, both rank and non-rank. They are fearful to speak on it because of fear of getting transferred and/or retaliation.”
It wasn’t until a photo of the trophy surfaced on social media that Mayor Mike Purzycki’s office became aware of its existence, said John Rago, Purzycki’s deputy chief of staff. It was then forwarded to police Chief Robert Tracy to further investigate, Rago said. Congo’s newsletter was shared publicly Thursday afternoon.
That’s according to City Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo, who in a newsletter item Thursday, described how a Black male detective in the Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division was presented the trophy during roll call as a Christmas present from his white male supervisor in 2019.
“It has been displayed on the detective’s desk for everyone to see since it was presented to him,” Congo wrote. “While President Congo understands that the recipient might be ok with receiving this trophy, it has offended several Black detectives as well as other Black officers, both rank and non-rank. They are fearful to speak on it because of fear of getting transferred and/or retaliation.”
It wasn’t until a photo of the trophy surfaced on social media that Mayor Mike Purzycki’s office became aware of its existence, said John Rago, Purzycki’s deputy chief of staff. It was then forwarded to police Chief Robert Tracy to further investigate, Rago said. Congo’s newsletter was shared publicly Thursday afternoon.
Wilmington council president brings Police Department's 'whitest Black guy' trophy to light
For three years, a trophy declaring a Black detective was the "whitest black guy in the office" sat on the Wilmington officer's desk. But it wasn't until it was made public on social media Thursday that police are looking into the matter.
www.delawareonline.com
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