Editorial Cartoonists of the Atlanta Journal and Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) :: Lou Erickson ("Eric") – The South’s Gentle Satirist

Investigation Into Police Cheating

Artist: Lou Erickson (Penciller)

2 Comments - 36 Views - 0 Like

Investigation Into Police Cheating Comic Art

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The Atlanta Journal (Atlanta, Georgia) · Fri, Feb 3, 1978 · Page 14

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Artwork Details

Title:	Investigation Into Police Cheating
Artist:	Lou Erickson (Penciller)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Sketch Card
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	36
Likes on CAF:	0 1
Comments:	2
Added to Site:	5/17/2025
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Description

The Atlanta Police Department faced a significant scandal in the late 1970s involving cheating on promotional exams, leading to the resignation of Public Safety Commissioner A. Reginald Eaves.

Eaves, appointed in 1974 by Mayor Maynard Jackson as Atlanta's first Black Public Safety Commissioner, was a controversial figure due to his lack of law enforcement experience and his implementation of affirmative action policies within the department.

The scandal emerged when the president of the local Police Benevolent Association noticed irregularities in the promotion results: although only 91 of the 289 candidates for the sergeant's exam were Black, 21 of the 28 officers promoted were Black, with 13 being active members of the Afro-American Patrolmen's League (AAPL). Similarly, for the captain's exam, 16 of the 42 candidates were Black, yet 7 of the 9 officers promoted were Black. An informal investigation revealed that test questions had been leaked to certain candidates, allegedly with the approval of Commissioner Eaves.
Office of Justice Programs

Despite initial inaction from city officials, affidavits detailing the cheating were filed in a reverse discrimination lawsuit, bringing the issue to public attention. An official investigation ensued, during which Eaves was accused of attempting to tamper with a lie detector test and subsequently refused to take a second test. Consequently, Mayor Jackson requested his resignation. The scandal caused significant division within Atlanta's Black community, with some viewing Eaves as a victim of a conspiracy. In total, 13 officers were suspended, six were demoted, and five were fired, including two who had reported the cheating.

This episode highlighted the complexities of implementing affirmative action policies and maintaining integrity within public institutions.

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Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

Posted on 5/18/2025

I'm sure it also happens every day within the fraternity of brothers where favoritism happens. There's a reason why there are families where every generation had once served as a cop. Besides, these days you just have to host the right kind of TV show to qualify for heading up government agencies.

Alan E
Member Since 2025

1 - Posted on 5/18/2025

Marcus Wai wrote:

Besides, these days you just have to host the right kind of TV show to qualify for heading up government agencies.

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