Afro American Police Association Memphis Home

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1391 Ferguson
Memphis, TN 38106
Ph: (901) 650-5589
tyrocurrie@aol.com

Founding Members

James Bolden

Clyde Buford

Charles Logan

Fred Roberson

Clifton Dates, Jr.

Curtis Mull

Van Fields

Seven African American Police Officers founded the Afro
American Police Association in June 1973. The primary goal
was to open lines of communication within the Memphis
Police Department Administration to counteract discrimination
and racism against minorities and women.

Currently, the AAPA has over six hundred members ranging
from regular patrol persons to high-ranking commanders and
chief administrative officers. At its inception, prominent
Memphians such as the late Attorney Floyd Peete, Judge
Otis Higgs, Attorney Richard Fields, Maxine Smith, Rev. Billy
Kyles, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. James Netters and many
others supported the association.

“Promoting a greater respect for justice and law in the community & better Minority Relations”

AAPA Tradition of Service

The Afro American Police Association has been a beacon of
light in the community for almost 40 years. The AAPA has
continuously fought for the rights and services for its
members and all mankind. The Association made
tremendous strides in political relationships in supporting
those who stood for right, fairness, justice and the elevation of
any oppressed people in the world. For example the AAPA
was one of the first organizations to support Memphis first
elected black mayor, Mayor Willie Herenton. The
Association also forged on to support the first black Shelby
County mayor, Mayor AC Wharton. When the first black
Tennessee Supreme Court Justice was attacked by ill
informed Tennesseans, it was the Afro American Police
Association that supported him in remaining in office. During
the 2003 lawsuits against the City of Memphis it was the
AAPA who organized a plan to fight the significant adverse
impact on minorities in the Memphis Police Department.
This stance has a positive impact on the department today
with middle and upper management comprising of over 50%
minorities and women. It was the AAPA that demanded fair
and equitable testing for all police officers not only in the City
of Memphis but throughout the country. This organization
has saved hundreds of jobs for officers through their
relationship building with every City Administration. The
AAPA is proud of its commitment in constructing the Harriet
Theatre for our adopted mentoring program, the "Harriet
Jubilee Performers". This building also serves as a
community meeting and all purpose building for all citizens of
our city and county for a minimum cost or free. This
organization raised funds for Haiti, schools in Africa, Katrina
Relief Fund, school supplies for less fortunate children and
have given thousands of dollars in financial support to the
people in need throughout this country. The AAPA has
adopted the philosophy of Community Policing.