Black Lower Merion Officer Accuses Commissioners of Racism in Promotions Policy

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

“There’s never been a black officer promoted to the rank of sergeant or above,” in the Lower Merion Police Department, Officer Kerry 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 four residents spoke during public comment, in response to an agenda item that 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.

Before the board made its decision, Godbold and three residents said they did not understand why a recent civil service list for promotions had been allowed to expire. The Civil Service list had Godbold ranked first among the top three officers on the list for a promotion to sergeant, Godbold said. 

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

Black residents who spoke said that they were underrepresented in the Lower Merion Police Department.

Residents also called for an independent body to conduct an investigation into the matter involving the civil service list.

Police Superintendent Michael McGrath said he would not address the “baseless allegations we just heard.”

McGrath said a new state law placed expiration dates on the Civil Service entry and promotion lists, so there is now a 24-month cap on the promotions list.

Prior to the new law, the Civil Service lists had no expiration date, but the police department typically kept the lists for two years, McGrath said.

Commissioners said they had checked with the township attorney and been told they could not use the promotions list, which Godbold and others had referred to in their comments, because the list had already expired and their only option was to request a new eligibility list.

The commissioners also said that race was not a factor.

“I, and I’m certain my colleagues … did not know the names or the race of the police officers on the promotion list,” said Commissioner Scott Zelov.

Several commissioners said the issue should be referred to the newly formed Human Relations Commission, although no formal action was taken on the suggestion.

Commissioner Philip Rosenzweig said there were two issues, one concerning Godbold and the expired list, and the other, broader issue, of members of the community feeling underrepresented on the police force.

Board President Liz Rogan ended the discussion by inviting board members to come speak to her about how they should move forward with the issue.