'Whitest Black Guy' Trophy Lands Wilmington Police In Hot Water

Wilmington DE

03 February, 2022

7:42 PM

Description

WILMINGTON, DE — The Wilmington Police Department is under internal investigation after city officials learned a Black detective was given a "Whitest Black Guy In The Office" trophy by a white supervisor, according to a report. The trophy sat on the detective's desk for more than three years, Delaware Online reported, citing a statement by Wilmington City Council President Ernest "Trippi" Congo. It only recently came to light when photos of it circulated on social media. According to Congo, the detective was given the trophy as a Christmas present during roll call. "It has been displayed on the detective's desk for everyone to see since it was presented to him," Congo wrote, according to Delaware Online. "While President Congo understands that the recipient might be ok with receiving this trophy, it has offended several Black detectives as well as other Black officers, both rank and non-rank. They are fearful to speak on it because of fear of getting transferred and/or retaliation." Police Chief Robert Tracy told Delaware Online the department's Office of Professional Standards was conducting a "full and thorough investigation." The revelation comes just weeks after the city council passed a resolution expressing "a vote of no confidence" in Tracy and the overall lack of diversity within the department, Delaware Public Media reported. "It lacks diversity especially in the higher rankings of our officers," Congo said at the time. "I just want Chief Tracy to do the right thing. I'm not trying to fire him. I'm not trying to defund the police, some people may. I want to give him an opportunity to do the right thing, and I think I have been extremely fair and extremely patient with Chief Tracy."