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Ike McKinnon as a cop
Former Detroit Police Chief Ike McKinnon recounts his experience during the Detroit Riot in 1967 when he was a young cop.
He also recounts as a kid getting beat up by the Big 4, a group of cops that would ride around town beating black residents. He said after that, he decided to become an officer.
In 1965, he became the only black officer in the 2nd (Vernor) Precinct in southwest Detroit. He became chief under Mayor Dennis Archer and was deputy mayor under current Mayor Mike Duggan.
He retired last summer and is an associate professor at the University of Detroit Mercy.
He talks to WXYZ's Carolyn Clifford about his experiences before and during the riot.
Next month marks the 50th anniversary of the riot that literally and figuratively changed the landscape of Detroit forever.
