Schenectady Honors a Trailblazing Officer
Arthur Chaires Sr., Schenectady’s first Black police officer, joined the all-white police force in 1952. For 27 years, he patrolled the city’s Hamilton Hill neighborhood and downtown areas on foot, earning respect and admiration from the community.
Chaires’ legacy lives on as a pioneer who practiced community policing long before it became a standard. His son, Mark Chaires, who later became Schenectady’s first Black police chief in 2008, said, “The vast majority of policing is talking and listening. My father had very good interpersonal skills, and that’s what made him very effective.”
A Life of Service and Resilience
Arthur Chaires Sr. was born in the Tallahassee, Florida area and had only a fourth-grade education. He left school to help his family by picking cotton. Despite these challenges, he rose to become a respected figure in Schenectady.
Chaires served in the U.S. Army beginning in 1941 and worked as a bellhop at the Hotel Van Curler before joining the police force. His daughter, Claudia Fennicks, recalled, “He was a patrolman, he didn’t have a car, he didn’t have a partner. He walked all around Hamilton Hill and downtown.”
Breaking Barriers and Building Trust
As the first and only African American officer in Schenectady for many years, Chaires faced racism and intolerance. However, he never let it deter him from his duty. His children remember him as a jovial and proud man who earned respect through his actions.
The Schenectady Police Department recently honored Chaires on Facebook, stating, “He was synonymous with community policing and set a standard for community engagement that we still strive to achieve today.” A street in Central Park, Patrolman Arthur Chaires Lane, was also named in his honor.
A Legacy of Community Engagement
Chaires didn’t just patrol the streets—he actively engaged with the community. He served on the boards of the Carver Community Center and Northeast Parent and Child and was a member of the local NAACP. He also made it his mission to encourage voter registration, often taking his children along on voter drives.
Fennicks said, “He felt it was our duty to exercise that right. He’d have all of us out there sometimes registering people to vote.”
Inspiring Future Generations
Arthur Chaires Sr.’s impact on Schenectady is still felt today. His dedication to community policing and his ability to connect with people set a high standard for the department.
While the Schenectady Police Department has made strides in diversifying its force, Chaires’ legacy reminds us of the importance of representation and trust in law enforcement. His story continues to inspire future generations of officers and community leaders.
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