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Black History Month Cambridge police department

In celebration of Black History Month, the Cambridge Police Department is proud to showcase its rich history of Black officers.

In April 1884, Mayor James Fox nominated Frederick A. Robinson to become the first African American police officer in the City of Cambridge. When the department reorganized in 1904, Mayor Augustine J. Daly promoted him to the rank of Sergeant. Sergeant Robinson worked in Harvard Square until 1914, when he retired after 30 years of service.
On April 1, 1915, Officer Herbert Halliday became the first Black officer to be hired under civil service. In 1921, Officer Halliday rescued seven people, two brothers, and five members of the Duane family from a burning building located at 303 River Street. Two more generations of Hallidays - Sergeant Herbert Halliday, Jr. and Officer Ronald Halliday - would later follow in his footsteps at the Cambridge Police Department, as their family provided nearly 100 years of dedicated service to the City of Cambridge.
Officer Calvin Kantor, Sr. (left) was appointed to the Cambridge Police Department in 1963 and promoted to Sergeant in 1975. He was the department's first African American to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1983 and in 1992 the first to be promoted to Superintendent. His son, Calvin Kantor, Jr. recently retired from the Cambridge Police Department, while his other son, Frederick Kantor, and daughter-in-law, Evelyn Kantor-Lugo, are currently serving as officers with the Cambridge Police Department.
Perry Anderson became the first African American head of the Cambridge Police Department in May 1991, when he was appointed the department's first Police Commissioner. During his tenure, Anderson implemented the first command staff in the department's history and the creation of community-oriented policing in the city, He retired from the department in December 1995.
Dr. Branville G. Bard, Jr. became the City of Cambridge Police Department’s fourth Police Commissioner in August 2017 and held that role until August 2021 . Prior to leading the Cambridge Police Department, Bard served as the Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety of the Philadelphia Housing Authority Police Department. He began his law enforcement career as a member of the Philadelphia Police Department where he proudly served for nearly 22 years before retiring at the rank of Inspector.
Christine Elow became the highest ranking female officer in the history of the Cambridge Police Department in 2017, when she was appointed the department's first female Superintendent. In January 2022, Elow was named the permanent Commissioner of the Cambridge Police Department. She had served as the Acting Police Commissioner since August 2021 when she took over for Commissioner Bard, who accepted an opportunity at Johns Hopkins Institutions. Elow became the first woman to ever lead the Cambridge Police Department since its inception in 1859. Raised in Cambridge, Elow has been with the Cambridge Police since joining as an officer in 1995 after serving in the U.S. Navy for four years. She served in the Patrol Division and oversaw the Professional Standards Unit, where she was responsible for receiving, processing, and investigating complaints made against members of the Department. She later served as Deputy Superintendent for Day Patrol and Community Services. In 2017, Elow was appointed Superintendent. She is a strong proponent of community-driven policing, juvenile justice issues, procedural justice, police training and innovative hiring practices. Elow holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Curry College and a Master's Degree from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security Program.
In 2020, Cambridge African-American Police Association (CAAPA) was reestablished by members of the Cambridge Police Department to continue the legacy left by officers of the Cambridge Multi-Cultural Police Association and the Cambridge Afro-American Police Association. The mission is to improve relations with the community and law enforcement through engagement and partnership, and to retain and increase African-American interest and diversity in the law enforcement profession. It provides camaraderie and supports officer wellness and professional development, and advocates for social/racial justice, equality, and fairness.
The Cambridge Police Department was proud to welcome its second class of Cadets to the agency after a special ceremony in November 2021. The Cadet Program provides a pathway for Cambridge residents to become Cambridge Police officers and work in the city where they grew up.
Today, the Cambridge Police Department is recognized among the most balanced police departments in diverse cities joining the likes of Miami Beach, Florida, Oak Park Village, Illinois, Pasadena City, California, Bexar County, Texas, New Orleans, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
Created By
Jeremy Warnick
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Photo Credits: Cambridge Police Department & Lowe Media Group 2016 Cambridge Police Department