Lower Merion Police Promotions List Sparks Accusations of Racism

A black Lower Merion police officer, Kerry Godbold, and four residents accused the Board of Commissioners of racism at a commission meeting Wednesday night, and questioned why a civil service list which had Godbold at the top of the promotions list was allowed to expire.

Godbold and the residents accused the commission of intentionally getting rid of the list, and issuing a new one, to avoid promoting a black officer.

“There’s never been a black officer promoted to the rank of sergeant or above,” in the Lower Merion Police Department, Godbold said.  “It appears that there are those here today that still don’t want to see that happen.  To see them get rid of that list was shocking, offensive and embarrassing.”

Commissioners said they did not know the officer’s race before he came forward, and they could not act on the list because of a new law which puts an expiration date on it.

Godbold and the residents spoke during public comment, in response to an agenda item which asked the Board of Commissioners to authorize the Civil Service Commission to establish a new Civil Service Eligibility List. 

Later in the meeting, the board approved the authorization by a consent vote.

Black residents who spoke said that they were underrepresented in the Lower Merion Police Department, and called for an independent body to conduct an investigation into the matter involving the civil service list.

To read the entire article, .