Decades have passed since the Jim Crow era in America, but the racist mentality continues to exist in many locales across the country. Gerry Pickens found that out the hard way when he left Atlanta to become the first Black police officer in Orting, Washington.
According to reports by King 5, Pickens took less money to join a force that only featured 11 other officers. But he soon faceed harassment by racist officers and other individuals living in the small town. Fellow officers called 911 on him and reported a “Black juvenile” driving a patrol car and later began to refer to him as “Black juvenile” and “token Black guy.”
In January, someone vandalized Pickens’ car and spray painted the N-word on the side. He feared for his life after the vandalism, which has yet to be solved.
Pickens was eventually fired from the police department and has since decided to sue the department. He is asking for $5 million, which is double the town’s annual budget.
