# William P. Lawson

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Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department from 1937 to 1938

William P. Lawson Lawson, c. 1938 Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department In office May 17, 1937 – July 31, 1938 Appointed by Harry Nice Preceded by Charles D. Gaither Succeeded by Stephen G. Nelson (acting) Personal details Born 1879 or 1880 Died July 2, 1946 (aged 66) Baltimore, Maryland Party Republican

**William P. Lawson** (1879 or 1880 – July 2, 1946) was an American [investment banker](/source/Investment_banker) and politician who served as [commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department](/source/Commissioner_of_the_Baltimore_Police_Department) (BPD) from 1937 to 1938. Prior to serving as commissioner, Lawson was the chairman of the Central Committee of the [Maryland Republican Party](/source/Maryland_Republican_Party). Appointed by governor of Maryland [Harry Nice](/source/Harry_Nice) to replace [Charles D. Gaither](/source/Charles_D._Gaither), Lawson's tenure included the appointment of [Violet Hill Whyte](/source/Violet_Hill_Whyte), the first African-American BPD officer, and four further African-American officers.

In June 1938, a [credit report](/source/Credit_report) showed that Lawson held at least 1,000 shares in the Consolidated Distillers Corporation, a business dealing in [whisky](/source/Whisky). While he initially refused to comment, he later claimed he was simply a [stockbroker](/source/Stockbroker) for the company and was not involved in liqour, contradicting the credit report and a company statement. Calls rose for Nice to ask Lawson to resign, citing his liqour dealings and raising crime rates, which Nice refused. On July 30, 1938, the [Securities and Exchange Commission](/source/Securities_and_Exchange_Commission) alleged his [brokerage firm](/source/Brokerage_firm), William P. Lawson and Co., of fraud. Although he maintained his innocence, he temporarily resigned the next day, stating that his business dealings "[have] no connection whatsoever with the affairs of the Police Department or my duties as commissioner." Lawson was found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison, which was partially pardoned by governor [Herbert O'Conor](/source/Herbert_O'Conor). Lawson died of a heart attack in Baltimore on July 2, 1946, at the age of 66.

## Biography

Lawson was born in 1879 or 1880. He worked as an [investment banker](/source/Investment_banker), going on to serve as chairman of the Central Committee of the [Maryland Republican Party](/source/Maryland_Republican_Party). He married a former [Republican National Committeewoman](/source/Republican_National_Committee) from Maryland and died of a [heart attack](/source/Heart_attack) in Baltimore on July 2, 1946, at the age of 66.[1]

## Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department

Governor of Maryland [Harry Nice](/source/Harry_Nice) appointed Lawson to succeed [Charles D. Gaither](/source/Charles_D._Gaither).

Lawson was appointed by Governor of Maryland [Harry Nice](/source/Harry_Nice) as [commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department](/source/Commissioner_of_the_Baltimore_Police_Department) on May 17, 1937, replacing outgoing commissioner [Charles D. Gaither](/source/Charles_D._Gaither).[2][3]

While commissioner, Lawson was credited with appointing the first [African-American](/source/African-American) person, [Violet Hill Whyte](/source/Violet_Hill_Whyte), to the department; he appointed 4 further African-American officers seven months later.[4]

### Liquor and fraud investigations

My Dear Governor Nice: As you are aware, the Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a petition against me in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland asking that I be restrained from further continuing my personal business because of certain practices which they claim are in violation of the [Securities and Exchange Act](/source/Securities_and_Exchange_Act). I am convinced that this is a vicious attempt to injure me. It is, however, entirely a personal matter and has no connection whatsoever with the affairs of the Police Department or my duties as commissioner.[...]Therefore, I feel it will be in the best interest of your administration and the conduct of the affairs of the department that, pending the disposition of the proceedings in the United States District Court, that I temporarily relinquish my duties as commissioner.

— Letter from Lawson to Nice announcing his temporary resignation[3]

In June 1938, a [credit report](/source/Credit_report) revealed that Lawson had been involved with the Consolidated Distillers Corporation, a business dealing in [whisky](/source/Whisky), where he served as its spokesman, owning at least 1,000 [shares](/source/Shares) in the company. When asked for comment, Lawson and Nice refused, while the corporation claimed that Lawson no longer had stock or connections to the company.[2] In a later statement, Lawson explained that he had served as a [stockbroker](/source/Stockbroker) for the company, not making any more profit than his [commissions](/source/Commission_(remuneration)). He further claimed that he had never been involved in liquor and did not plan to be, an explanation that Nice found sufficient. Inconsistencies were pointed out, including that the credit report claimed that Lawson was interested in the company's affairs, acting as a supervisor. The company also stated that Lawson had worked there but "just left".[5] Calls rose for Nice to ask that Lawson resign due to his dealings in the liquor industry and increasing crime rates.[3]

On July 30, 1938, the [Securities and Exchange Commission](/source/Securities_and_Exchange_Commission) (SEC) filed a petition against Lawson, accusing his [brokerage firm](/source/Brokerage_firm), William P. Lawson and Co., of at least six illegal practices, relating to selling [securities](/source/Security_(finance)) of its customers without their consent as [collateral](/source/Collateralized_debt_obligation) for personal loans, while continuing to pay [dividends](/source/Dividend) to obscure that they had been sold, as well as having over 2,000% of its net capital in debt. SEC investigator Augustus A. Eggolt estimated that the firm had US$162,912.89 ($2.84 million in 2024) in debt to its customers while it only had roughly US$1,733 ($30,202 in 2024) in its bank account. A "show-cause" order, signed by judge [William Calvin Chesnut](/source/William_Calvin_Chesnut), required Lawson to formally respond to the petition in front of the [United States District Court for the District of Maryland](/source/United_States_District_Court_for_the_District_of_Maryland) by August 15.[3][6][7]

[Stephen G. Nelson](/source/Stephen_G._Nelson) succeeded Lawson as acting commissioner

After the order, Lawson announced his temporary resignation as commissioner to Nice on July 31, 1938, which he immediately accepted, appointing chief inspector [Stephen G. Nelson](/source/Stephen_G._Nelson) as acting commissioner. Although Nice described Lawson's resignation as wise, he declined to comment further on the case, saying that he would not comment on an ongoing legal process and that he knows little about the case.[3][6]

Lawson hired the law firm Weinburg, Sweeten, and Green, to defend him, while he asserted that he was confident he could fight off the claims, which he described as "a vicious attempt to attack me". His attorney was J. Purdon Wright, who was also a Republican leader.[3] [State's Attorney](/source/State's_Attorney) for Baltimore [J. Bernard Wells](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=J._Bernard_Wells&action=edit&redlink=1) assigned deputy William H. Maynard to Lawson's case.[7] He was found guilty, being sentenced to three years in prison; he was granted a partial pardon by Governor of Maryland [Herbert O'Conor](/source/Herbert_O'Conor).[1]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Obituary_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Obituary_1-1) ["William Lawson Dies in Baltimore; Served as Chief of Police"](https://newspapers.com/article/evening-star-obituary-for-william-p-laws/144000964/). *[The Washington Star](/source/The_Washington_Star)*. July 2, 1946. p. 12. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240324034120/https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star-obituary-for-william-p-laws/144000964/) from the original on March 24, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Credit_Report_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Credit_Report_2-1) ["Credit Report Shows Lawson Liquor Link"](https://newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-credit-report-shows-laws/143946861/). *[The Evening Sun](/source/The_Baltimore_Sun)*. June 25, 1938. pp. 1, 9. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240323160736/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-credit-report-shows-laws/143946861/) from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Lawson_Quits_Police_Post_'Temporarily'_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Lawson_Quits_Police_Post_'Temporarily'_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Lawson_Quits_Police_Post_'Temporarily'_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Lawson_Quits_Police_Post_'Temporarily'_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Lawson_Quits_Police_Post_'Temporarily'_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Lawson_Quits_Police_Post_'Temporarily'_3-5) ["Lawson Quits Police Post 'Temporarily,' Until SEC Fraud Charges Are Heard"](https://newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-lawson-charges/114037619/). *[The Baltimore Sun](/source/The_Baltimore_Sun)*. July 31, 1938. pp. 1, 9. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240323153843/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-lawson-charges/114037619/) from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Dulaney, W. Marvin (February 22, 1996). *Black Police in America*. [Indiana University Press](/source/Indiana_University_Press). p. 34. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780253210401](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780253210401).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Nice_Backs_Lawson_5-0)** ["Nice Backs Lawson in Denial"](https://newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-nice-backs-lawson-in-den/143947808/). *[The Evening Sun](/source/The_Baltimore_Sun)*. June 28, 1938. pp. 1, 10. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240323160741/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-nice-backs-lawson-in-den/143947808/) from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-SEC_Accuses_Lawson_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-SEC_Accuses_Lawson_6-1) ["SEC Accuses Lawson of Stock Deal Frauds"](https://newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-sec-accuses-lawson-of-st/143946717/). *[The Evening Sun](/source/The_Baltimore_Sun)*. July 30, 1938. pp. 1, 9. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240323160735/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-sec-accuses-lawson-of-st/143946717/) from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Wells_Puts_Aide_on_Lawson_Case_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Wells_Puts_Aide_on_Lawson_Case_7-1) ["Wells Puts Aide on Lawson Case"](https://newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-wells-puts-aide-on-lawso/143947876/). *[The Evening Sun](/source/The_Baltimore_Sun)*. August 1, 1938. pp. 1, 4. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240323160740/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-wells-puts-aide-on-lawso/143947876/) from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.

Police appointments Preceded by Charles D. Gaither Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department 1937–1938 Succeeded by Stephen G. Nelson (acting)

v t e Baltimore Police Department Commissioners Board of Commissioners Gaither Lawson Nelson (acting) Stanton Atkinson Ober Ford (acting) Hepbron Schmidt Pomerleau Battaglia Robinson Tilghman Woods Frazier Rotation (acting) Daniel Norris Clark Hamm Bealefeld Batts Davis De Sousa Tuggle (acting) Harrison Worley Events 2015 Baltimore protests Baltimore police strike Killing of Freddie Gray Gun Trace Task Force Death of Sean Suiter Wayne Jenkins William King and Antonio Murray Harlem Park Three Murders of Keona Holley and Justin Johnson Media Charm City Cop in the Hood Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets Homicide: Life on the Street Serial, Season 1 The Wire We Own This City Related Espantoon Rough ride

v t e Commissioners of the Baltimore Police Department Police Commissioners (1920–present) Charles D. Gaither (1920–37) William P. Lawson (1937–38) Stephen G. Nelson (interim 1938) Robert F. Stanton (1938–43) Hamilton R. Atkinson (1943–49) Beverly Ober (1949–55) Fred L. Ford (interim 1955) James M. Hepbron (1955–61) Bernard Schmidt (1961–66) Donald Pomerleau (1966–81) Frank Battaglia (1981–84) Bishop Robinson (1984–87) Edward J. Tilghman (1987–89) Edward V. Woods (1989–93) Thomas C. Frazier (1994–99) John E. Gavrilis, Elbert Shirley & Robert Smith (interim rotation 1999–2000) Ronald L. Daniel (2000) Edward T. Norris (2000–02) Kevin P. Clark (2002–04) Leonard Hamm (2004–07) Frederick H. Bealefeld III (2007–12) Anthony Batts (2012–15) Kevin Davis (2015–18) Darryl De Sousa (2018) Gary Tuggle (interim 2018–19) Michael S. Harrison (2019–23) Richard Worley (2023–present) Presidents of the Board of Police Commissioners (1850–1920) Charles Howard (1850–61) Nicholas L. Wood (1862–64) Samuel Hindes (1864–66) James Young (1866–67) LeFevre Jarrett (1867–70) John W. Davis (1870–71) William H. B. Fusselbaugh(1871–81) George Colton (1881–87) Edson M. Schryver (1888–97) Daniel C. Heddinger (1897–1900) George M. Upshur (1900–1904) George R. Willis (1904–08) Sherlock Swann (1908–10) John B. A. Wheltle (1910–12) Morris Ames Soper (1912–13) James McEvoy (1913–14) Daniel C. Ammidon (1914–16) Lawrason Riggs (1916–20) Other members of the Board of Police Commissioners (1850–1920) select list Thomas Kelso

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [William P. Lawson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_P._Lawson) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_P._Lawson?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.