ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The St. Augustine Police Department just got a little more diverse. For the first time in three years, the force now has black officers.
Two women were also hired in the group of six that was sworn in Tuesday.
Rev. Ron Rawls of St. Paul AME Church helped recruit one of the black officers after working with the city to find qualified black candidates.
He was present at the swearing-in ceremony.
"It gave the community hope that things are changing for the better and people are listening," said Rawls.
In November, Action News showed you the racial breakdown of local police departments to see if ranks were truly representative of the communities they serve.
According to the latest census data, St. Augustine is more than 11 percent black, but the police department had no black officers.
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With two new black officers, the department is now a little more than 3 percent black.
The department's public information officer, Mark Samson, said he's happy to see that's no longer the case.
"I think what you may see is people in the community maybe feeling a little more comfortable that we appear to be a little bit more diverse than what we once were," said Samson.
SAPD does have a long history of hiring black officers. In 1953, Fred Waters was the department's first black officer. His picture still hangs on the wall.
Looking to restore that tradition, Rawls took to social media to find black officers. He found two and one of them made it through, but Rawls said there is still more work to be done.
"Not just the police force, the fire department, all entities to be representative of the demographics," said Rawls.
Rawls said Police Chief Loran Lueders has been very helpful and proactive.
According to Rawls, he has formed an Ad Hoc Advisory Council that works directly with the city manager and human resources department to recruit and retain more minorities in city positions.
"When you have a diversity of opinions and thoughts it makes for (a) better city," said Rawls.