By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Although he might not be a household name, former Seattle Police Detective Joe Tolliver has a place in history as a changemaker, leader, and a trailblazer. Born during the onset of the Great Depression in Bryan, Texas, as the youngest of three siblings, Tolliver’s journey from the segregated South to becoming one of the first Black leaders in the Seattle Police Department (SPD) is a narrative of overcoming immense societal barriers.
In 1948, a 16-year-old Tolliver graduated from high school and subsequently attended Texas College in Tyler, Texas, on an athletic scholarship. He graduated in 1952 with a degree in sociology, during a time when the Jim Crow laws severely limited the opportunities for African Americans in the South.
“After I finished college, I was planning on a teaching and hopefully coaching career,” says Tolliver. “During those times in the late ’40s and early ’50s, African Americans in that part of the country, specifically in Texas, didn’t have many options for careers in state.”
Seeking better opportunities, Tolliver migrated to the Pacific Northwest in 1952, joining his older sister who had already established herself there. This move was part of a larger trend at the time, as “many African American families were migrating from the South” during World War II.
Tolliver’s leadership qualities were further sharpened during his service in the Army from 1953 to 1955, amidst the Korean Conflict. He fondly remembers his time in the military, as his college education and natural acumen for leadership often placed him in roles above his rank.
“I went into the Army in 1953. I served until 1955 and I actually thought had I made the military a career, I really would have enjoyed it,” says Tolliver. “I could read the manuals and follow instructions. I would get the jobs but I wouldn’t get the rank that went along with the job. As a PFC (Private First Class), I was doing the job and holding the positions as a Sergeant, I didn’t get the stripes but I got the responsibility.”
Post-military, Tolliver married Iva, with whom he has shared over 68 years of life.
In 1957, while reading a local newspaper, the Seattle Police Department advertised tests were being administered for those interested in becoming police officers. So, he decided why not and went and took the test.
Out of 400 applicants in late 1958, while taking classes to become a teacher, Tolliver became aware that he had scored very high out of the 400 applicants and was offered the job on the police force.
“Late in 1958 while I was taking the Washington state history classes, I was advised that I had passed the written exam,” Tolliver recalls. “I scored number 25 out of 400 and I was offered the job as a trainee starting in January of 1959.”
Joining the SPD in an era marked by segregation and racial prejudice was not without its challenges, especially during a period where policing for Black officers was basically about policing Black people.
“It wasn’t easy at the time, but I guess a good way to put it, it was challenging,” says Tolliver. “From my study in sociology, I kind of honed my desire and my interest in working with people and at that time, in 1959, there were very, very, very few African Americans in the department. In a department of about 1200 sworn officers, when I came on there was a total of six African Americans.”
He often found himself as the first and only African American in different assignments within the department, a situation that required immense fortitude and adaptability. Tolliver’s approach to his role was community-focused.
“Throughout my career no matter where I was assigned or where I worked, I was often and more likely the first and only African American in that environment,” says Tolliver. “I’d have to say that I had very strong Black mentors that helped me survive because it was not the easiest job.”
Tolliver’s career in the SPD was marked by rapid growth in rank and responsibility. His deep sense of duty to his department and his community, coupled with his keen awareness of the need for representation, propelled his advancement. Early in his career, as a patrolman, he patrolled the neighborhood he lived in, an experience he found profoundly meaningful.
“There was a distinction in the fact of working in the neighborhood where I lived because it gave me a purpose in protecting my family and my community,” reflects Tolliver. “I took the time to know the people that I was serving. I think everybody where I worked knew me because I would take time to get out of the car and talk to the people.”
During his career, Tolliver’s leadership was put to the test as representation at all levels of the department came into question. In the late 1960s, there was only one detective in the force and upon his retirement, Tolliver was promoted to detective and found himself being the only Black detective in the force.
This lack of representation fueled the birth of the Black Law Enforcement Association of Washington (BLEAW), which was co-founded by Tolliver, after a significant influx, at the time, of African Americans into the police force after the Vietnam War.
“There was only one detective at that time and that was Marvin Bagley and historically there had only been one black detective,” recalls Tolliver. “After his retirement, I was promoted to detective and I was the only detective, Black detective, all of that led into the birth of the Black Law Enforcement Association of Washington or BLEAW that we formed.”
In February of 1975, the founding of BLEAW marked a significant milestone in the fight for racial equality within the law enforcement community in Washington. The organization focused on three critical areas: hiring, promotions, and assignments for Black officers. These officers, including Tolliver, found themselves in a civil rights struggle of their own, challenging the department’s practices.
“With 19 of the 22 Black officers being on patrol and me being the only detective, we were just saying we were qualified to do more jobs than just patrol,” Tolliver states. “The lawsuit certainly opened the gates, it was a slow process, frustrating at times, but since that time we have had African Americans at all ranks even up to Chief. But all progress is not swift.”
BLEAW’s efforts culminated in a significant legal battle, spanning over three years, to uphold equity in hiring, promotions, and assignments. The association’s persistence and advocacy eventually paid off, albeit gradually. The lawsuit and subsequent efforts by BLEAW played a pivotal role in breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of African American law enforcement officers in Washington.