Cambridge Jenkins collection

Collection

Identifier: 30031

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Cambridge Jenkins collection consists of one box and fifteen folders. The items in the collection are photo copies of the original scrapbook. The collection contains several photos of Jenkins and other black police officers. These photos have been integrated in our photo files in the archives. This collection also contains a collaboration of correspondence, police reports, certificates, memorabilia, and newspaper articles. Incidentally, many of the newspaper articles arranged on one page. Folder 6 contains a police report of hate crime that was committed in Charleston during the Civil Rights Movement. The police reports are of crimes that have been committed in both the white and black communities of Charleston. Additional information of this subject can be found by consulting the Post and Courier index at the Charleston County Library.

Dates

Creation: 1926 - 1994

Creator

Jenkins, Cambridge, Jr. (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Cambridge Jenkins, Jr., son of the late Cambridge Jenkins, Sr. and Vivian Fordham was born January 20, 1926 in Charleston, South Carolina. He was a graduate of Burke High School and later served in the U.S. Navy in World War II from 1944-1946, receiving an honorable discharge June 21, 1946. He worked at the Citadel as an apprentice tailor, and he later joined the Charleston City Police Department in 1950 as one of the first African Americans to wear the uniform. He was promoted as the first African-Americans to wear the uniform and served in that capacity until 1961. As a detective, Jenkins was involved in several of the most significant cases handled by the department during that period. He joined the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) in 1961 where he served for 18 months. He returned to the Charleston Police Department, until October 1963 when he was appointed as the first minority U.S. Deputy Marshall for the Southeastern District of South Carolina. From October 1963 until his retirement in 1983, Jenkins was involved in some of the most significant civil rights and criminal cases in Charleston.

Extent

1 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Cambridge Jenkins, Jr., joined the Charleston Police Department in 1950, becoming one of the first African American policemen in the Department. With a promotion in 1955 he became the first African- American detective on that force. He joined the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) in 1961. Detective Jenkins later returned to the Charleston Police Department until 1963. He was appointed as the first minority United State Deputy Marshall for the Southeastern District of South Carolina. He retired in 1983. Contains photocopies of a scrapbook covering the career of Detective Jenkins. Also includes correspondence, police reports, certificates, memorabilia, and newspaper articles.