Atkins Warren Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 325

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The main components of this collection are: photographs of Atkins Warren, throughout his professional career; scrapbooks and notebooks documenting his time in St. Louis; documents and correspondence pertaining to the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); papers related to his professional interests and initiatives; and certificates and awards commemorating his time in St. Louis, Gainesville, NOBLE, and the Department of Justice. Most of these items are from the period 1970 to 1995.

Newspaper clippings speak directly to Warren's professional accomplishments. Others relate more generally to African American police officers and the St. Louis Police. A variety of pictures from conferences and events, specifically with the Department of Justice and NOBLE, are also included in this collection. Some of these images consist of prominent public figures such as Janet Reno and Gerald Ford. Several family members and a variety of family events are also represented in photographs.

Dates

Creation: 1948-2010
Creation: Majority of material found within 1970-1995

Creator

Warren, Atkins, 1925-2010. (Person)

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

Atkins Warren (June 30, 1925 - August 7, 2010) was the first African American police chief of Gainesville, Florida. He served from 1980 to 1984, during a period of severe race relations issues in the city. He began his long career in law enforcement with the St. Louis Police Department, serving from 1948 to 1980. Following his retirement from the Gainesville Police Department, he joined the U.S. Department of Justice in the Community Relations Service, serving as a race relations specialist and as a regional director in the Midwest. After leaving the Department of Justice in 2002, he established Atkins Warren and Associates, a consulting firm specializing in race relations. Warren graduated from Webster University in Missouri with a B.A. in Sociology and a Master's degree in Public Administration. He was a founding member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and served as president in 1981-1982.

Extent

4.25 Linear feet (5 Boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Papers and photographs related to the career of Atkins Warren, the first African American chief of police for Gainesville, Florida. Aspects of his career covered include his time with the St. Louis Police Department, with the Gainesville Police Department, and with the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service, as well as his presidency and service with the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).