PAX Centurion - January / February 2014

Page 20 • PAX CENTURION • January/February 2014 617-989-BPPA (2772) T he Irish have been supplying Police Departments across the United States with personnel since November of 1851 when a County Galway Native named Bernard “Barney” Mc- Ginniskin was appointed to the Boston Police Department. Barney stood upon a chair in the locker room and loudly introduced himself proclaiming “I’m Barney McGinniskin, from the bogs of Ireland!” TheYankee establishment hated his appointment and fought heav- ily to discredit Barney and keep the Irish from infiltrating the ranks of the Department. TheYankee establishment finally succeeded in getting Barney fired, but the door was opened and the Irish flooded the Police forces as they flooded the cities of America. The public perception of the ever present Irish cop on the beat was more than just a stereotype, it was a fact. Up to the mid-20 th century, the Irish dominated the police and fire departments. These departments were largely made up of either Irish born or 1 st or 2 nd generation Irish. Since 1850, the Irish have produced more Po- lice chiefs than any other ethnic group. Soon new ethnic groups started to join the public safety ranks. The Germans, Italians, Polish andAfrican-Americans joined the police and fire departments and eventually formed fraternal associations. Catholic, Protestant and Jewish religious organizations were also formed for Officers. There was no association for the Irish and Irish-American Of- ficers until the Emerald Society of the Boston Police Department was formed and incorporated on June 21, 1973. This finally tied together a group that had been loosely formed since the establishment of the first Emerald Society in NewYork City in 1954. The formation of an Emerald Society in Boston’s ranks began a bitter battle with then Po- lice Commissioner Robert DiGrazia. The Commissioner refused to allow the Irish to form a society although it was pointed out that other ethnic and religious groups had already founded their organizations and that it was not against rules and regulations of the Department. After the founding of the Society, the Commissioner relentlessly pursued the removal of the title “of the Boston Police Department” from the Society’s name, needless to say he lost. The Commissioner also refused to allow members to wear their Society’s pin, calling it a “girl scout” button. The Society capitalized on his anti-Irish bigotry and it seemed that overnight half of the Department joined the club. Although a long a force on the Department, the Society gave the Irish an organization of their own something that brought them together. The first headquarters was located at 642 Beech Street in Roslin- dale and the first meeting of the general membership was held at the V.F.W. Post #1018 onAmerican Legion Highway. Post #1018 became the site of the monthly meetings which are still held on the first Tuesday of each month. In 1982, the society purchased the former site of the Suffolk Franklin Savings Bank located at #10 Birch St. in Roslindale. Lots of hard work on the part of many people “Proud of our heritage” – The Emerald Society of the Boston Police Department resulted in the beautiful building we now call our own. Sidewalk Sam, the famous local artist painted the murals that decorate the wall. His artwork was payment from the inspiration he received during a Society sponsored trip to Ireland. The first meeting at the Hall was held in September of 1983. Monthly meetings include the business of the Society, introductions of new members, planned functions and upcoming events, even drawings and prizes for members. Merchan- dise is also available. There are three types of membership, “Active” membership requires the member to be an active or retired Boston Police Officer able to trace his/her roots to Ireland. “Associate” and “Honorary” lev- els of membership are less stringent, but require an “Active” members sponsorship. The Purposes of the Society, History, Applications and more information on the Emerald Society of the Boston Police De- partment are available on our web site: www.bpdemeraldsociety.com . The Emerald Society hosts many events throughout the year in- cluding theAnnual Emerald Golf Classic in June, the “Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day 5K Road Race” to benefit Cops for Kids with Cancer, “meet and greets” with other Emerald Societies and organizations that visit during the year, and also planned trips that have taken us to Savannah Georgia, NewYork City, Ireland and other destinations. The Emerald Society sponsors the Police Department’s Hockey Team, they are one of the best teams around and winners of the Silver Medal in theWorld Police & Fire Games held in NewYork in 2011. The Emerald Society Honor Guard marches in many parades and events throughout the year, including an a trips to present the colors during professional sporting games. From its beginning the Society has sponsored an annual scholarship program for members’ sons and daughters, giving away six $400.00Awards. This year, thanks to the Red Sox defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in theWorld Series, our brothers in the Metro St. Louis Emerald Society have supplied us with the funding for a fifth scholarship for our members. The Emerald Society of the BPD is also one of the founding mem- bers of The National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Soci- eties (www.NCLEES.org) , an umbrella organization that serves more than fifty-five Emerald Societies in the United States and abroad. This September, the NCLEES Fall Meeting will be held in Bos- ton, this marks a return to Boston as the host City, last held here in 1998. Our brother Societies and their members will be in town enjoying the history of our City, taking in a Red Sox vs Yankees game and discov- ering why we are called the “Capital of IrishAmerica”. A web site, Facebook event page and twitter account have been set up, for links, visit: www.ncleesboston. org . In May, during Na- tional PoliceWeek, NCLEES holds their main Meeting, followed by the 19 th Emerald SocietyAnnual Pipe Band March and Parade, a Service at the National Law Enforce- See Emerald Society on page 30