Wesley Pomeroy
Encyclopedia
Wesley A.C. Pomeroy was an American
lawyer, Assistant US Attorney General, Federal Coordinator for the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, Assistant Director of the DEA, and founding member of various humanitarian and policy-making organizations.
in the Napa County where he met, and later married, Marjorie Cusick. He began his law enforcement career at the California Highway Patrol
as a state trooper. In 1943, he joined the Marines
and served in the Pacific during World War II. After the war, he resumed his job as a California Highway Patrol officer. He joined the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office in 1951, where he rose through the ranks to become Undersheriff in 1960. While in this position, he pioneered the department's work-furlough and honor camp facilities, which were the only such programs in the nation at the time. During this time, he also spent his evenings attending law school. He received a law degree from San Francisco Law School
and subsequently passed the California bar exam.
In 1964, he was charged with managing security for the Republican National Convention
in the Cow Palace
, San Francisco, California
. The convention was met with great controversy as there was conflict not only within the Republican Party
itself but also from anti-war protesters and civil rights activists. Before this convention, political party conventions were only given cursory security staff unless a former or active president attended, with which Secret Service
would be present. Due to several violent and non-violent threats towards the convention, Pomeroy was brought in to manage 18 different police forces providing security to the venue. Due to his diplomatic efforts and management, the convention was successful and not disrupted. Pomeroy continued to serve as a consultant on security for national conventions of both political parties until 1992.
drew national attention and in 1967 he was made Coordinator of Federal Law Enforcement. Under Warren Christopher
, who was the Deputy Attorney General, he managed the Federal Command Post
at the Conrad Hilton
hotel overlooking Grant Park
in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic Convention
. Mayor Richard Daley
had requested federal back-up after numerous threats by protesters. After assessing the situation, Pomeroy was frustrated with Mayor Daley's approaches, especially putting officers on 12-hour shifts, as well as being informed that he had no jurisdiction over the Chicago police force. He did have control over the Illinois National Guard and ordered them to replace the Chicago Police Department at various times, including one night in front of the Hilton hotel. Pomeroy is credited to have, despite Mayor Daley's interference, kept the situation from becoming worse than it could have been.
Pomeroy was appointed Assistant Attorney General
in 1968 by Ramsey Clark
, who was Attorney General
in President Lyndon B. Johnson
's administration. Clark appointed him to help coordinate anti-crime efforts, as well as heading the Federal area of the investigation into Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination. During this time he also implemented plans for protecting all of the government buildings in Washington, DC.
Lyndon B. Johnson then appointed Pomeroy as the Republican member to lead the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration
along with Patrick V. Murphy and Ralph Liu. He was replaced when Richard Nixon
took over as President of the United States
in late 1969.
Ramsey Clark
later stated after Pomeroy's death, "Wes Pomeroy was a loving and gentle person who worked hard, over the years, to heal the violence in our society.. He was one of the few people in law enforcement whose interest and commitment was humanitarian and who understood that security depends finally on love not force."
Pomeroy returned to public service in 1977 under the Carter
administration. He was a consultant on the Drug Abuse Council now part of the National Institute on Drug Abuse
before becoming the Assistant Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
He also served as the Associate Director of the White House Office of Drug Abuse Policy (now the Office of National Drug Control Policy).
of 1969. Despite high-profile bands and almost 500,000 in attendance, there were only 2 confirmed deaths, both of which were accidental. Pomeroy went on to head security for some high-profile bands' US tours, including Led Zeppelin.
He described the problems with such a large festival in an interview with the Redwood City Tribune. "I think I would discourage anyone thinking about putting on another one. When you get that many people together who want to use drugs and take off their clothes, it is impossible to enforce the laws against those things," he was quoted. The last Woodstock concert
, in 1999, was shut down early due to violence, rape, fires, and other malicious civil unrest.
after taking a job with the University of Minnesota. The Board of Regents appointed Pomeroy as the Director of Safety and Development in 1971. He held this position until 1974 when he resigned to return to traditional law enforcement. Pomeroy moved back to California and served as the Berkeley, CA chief of police. He left this post in 1977 at the request to serve in Jimmy Carter's
administration.
After Carter left office, Pomeroy became the deputy director of the Michigan Department of Mental Health. He went on to become an honorary fellow with the American Psychiatric Association
, an award seldom given to non-physicians.
Pomeroy assumed the role of Executive Director of the Miami-Dade Independent Review Panel in 1983. He retains the title in emeritus to this day. His service in this capacity was so valued that mandatory ordinances for retirement were suspended twice so that he could continue in this position. After heart bypass surgery, he retired in 1995.
, and a founding member of the International Study of Panetics. He was also a long-time member of the American Civil Liberties Union
(where he also previously served on the Board of Directors), National Drug Strategy Network, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (also serving on the advisory board in 1977), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
, American Psychiatric Association
, the Drug Policy Foundation (where he also served as a director until his death), and the Unrepresented People's Positive Action Council.
He was survived by his second wife, Lonna P. Carroll, three daughters: Nancy Bucher of Palm Springs, CA, Virginia Pomeroy of Germantown, WI, and Victoria Pomeroy of Germantown, TN as well as five grandchildren, four stepchildren and six step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Patricia Pomeroy.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer, Assistant US Attorney General, Federal Coordinator for the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, Assistant Director of the DEA, and founding member of various humanitarian and policy-making organizations.
Early years
Pomeroy was born in Burbank, CA. He attended Pacific Union CollegePacific Union College
Pacific Union College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Angwin, California, United States. It is the only four-year college in Napa County, California....
in the Napa County where he met, and later married, Marjorie Cusick. He began his law enforcement career at the California Highway Patrol
California Highway Patrol
The California Highway Patrol is a law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of California. The CHP has patrol jurisdiction over all California highways and also acts as the state police....
as a state trooper. In 1943, he joined the Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and served in the Pacific during World War II. After the war, he resumed his job as a California Highway Patrol officer. He joined the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office in 1951, where he rose through the ranks to become Undersheriff in 1960. While in this position, he pioneered the department's work-furlough and honor camp facilities, which were the only such programs in the nation at the time. During this time, he also spent his evenings attending law school. He received a law degree from San Francisco Law School
San Francisco Law School
San Francisco Law School is a private, non-profit law school in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1909, the law school became non-profit in 1941 and moved to its present location in 1968...
and subsequently passed the California bar exam.
In 1964, he was charged with managing security for the Republican National Convention
1964 Republican National Convention
The 1964 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States took place in the Cow Palace, San Francisco, California, on July 13 to July 16, 1964. Before 1964, there had only been one national Republican convention on the West Coast...
in the Cow Palace
Cow Palace
Cow Palace is an indoor arena, in Daly City, California, situated on the city's border with neighboring San Francisco, notable as a sporting arena.-History:...
, San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. The convention was met with great controversy as there was conflict not only within the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
itself but also from anti-war protesters and civil rights activists. Before this convention, political party conventions were only given cursory security staff unless a former or active president attended, with which Secret Service
United States Secret Service
The United States Secret Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency that is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The sworn members are divided among the Special Agents and the Uniformed Division. Until March 1, 2003, the Service was part of the United States...
would be present. Due to several violent and non-violent threats towards the convention, Pomeroy was brought in to manage 18 different police forces providing security to the venue. Due to his diplomatic efforts and management, the convention was successful and not disrupted. Pomeroy continued to serve as a consultant on security for national conventions of both political parties until 1992.
Government career
His success managing the Republican National Convention1964 Republican National Convention
The 1964 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States took place in the Cow Palace, San Francisco, California, on July 13 to July 16, 1964. Before 1964, there had only been one national Republican convention on the West Coast...
drew national attention and in 1967 he was made Coordinator of Federal Law Enforcement. Under Warren Christopher
Warren Christopher
Warren Minor Christopher was an American lawyer, diplomat and politician. During Bill Clinton's first term as President, Christopher served as the 63rd Secretary of State. He also served as Deputy Attorney General in the Lyndon Johnson administration, and as Deputy Secretary of State in the Jimmy...
, who was the Deputy Attorney General, he managed the Federal Command Post
United States Federal Protective Service
The Federal Protective Service is the federal police force of the Secretary of Homeland Security. As a component of U.S. Department of Homeland Security, National Protection and Programs Directorate within DHS Headquarters, FPS is responsible for law enforcement and security of nearly 9,000...
at the Conrad Hilton
Conrad Hotels
Conrad Hotels is an international brand of upscale luxury hotels and resorts owned and operated by the Hilton Worldwide. Conrad was considered the luxury flagship brand in the Hilton Family of Brands, named after company founder Conrad Hilton, until being supplanted by The Waldorf-Astoria...
hotel overlooking Grant Park
Grant Park (Chicago)
Grant Park, with between the downtown Chicago Loop and Lake Michigan, offers many different attractions in its large open space. The park is generally flat. It is also crossed by large boulevards and even a bed of sunken railroad tracks...
in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic Convention
1968 Democratic National Convention
The 1968 Democratic National Convention of the U.S. Democratic Party was held at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago, Illinois, from August 26 to August 29, 1968. Because Democratic President Lyndon Johnson had announced he would not seek a second term, the purpose of the convention was to...
. Mayor Richard Daley
Richard J. Daley
Richard Joseph Daley served for 21 years as the mayor and undisputed Democratic boss of Chicago and is considered by historians to be the "last of the big city bosses." He played a major role in the history of the Democratic Party, especially with his support of John F...
had requested federal back-up after numerous threats by protesters. After assessing the situation, Pomeroy was frustrated with Mayor Daley's approaches, especially putting officers on 12-hour shifts, as well as being informed that he had no jurisdiction over the Chicago police force. He did have control over the Illinois National Guard and ordered them to replace the Chicago Police Department at various times, including one night in front of the Hilton hotel. Pomeroy is credited to have, despite Mayor Daley's interference, kept the situation from becoming worse than it could have been.
Pomeroy was appointed Assistant Attorney General
United States Assistant Attorney General
Many of the divisions and offices of the United States Department of Justice are headed by an Assistant Attorney General.The President of the United States appoints individuals to the position of Assistant Attorney General with the advice and consent of the Senate...
in 1968 by Ramsey Clark
Ramsey Clark
William Ramsey Clark is an American lawyer, activist and former public official. He worked for the U.S. Department of Justice, which included service as United States Attorney General from 1967 to 1969, under President Lyndon B. Johnson...
, who was Attorney General
United States Attorney General
The United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States government. The attorney general is considered to be the chief lawyer of the U.S. government...
in President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
's administration. Clark appointed him to help coordinate anti-crime efforts, as well as heading the Federal area of the investigation into Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination. During this time he also implemented plans for protecting all of the government buildings in Washington, DC.
Lyndon B. Johnson then appointed Pomeroy as the Republican member to lead the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration
Law Enforcement Assistance Administration
The Law Enforcement Assistance Administration was a U.S. federal agency within the U.S. Dept. of Justice. It administered federal funding to state and local law enforcement agencies, and funded educational programs, research, state planning agencies, and local crime initiatives.The LEAA was...
along with Patrick V. Murphy and Ralph Liu. He was replaced when Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
took over as President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
in late 1969.
Ramsey Clark
Ramsey Clark
William Ramsey Clark is an American lawyer, activist and former public official. He worked for the U.S. Department of Justice, which included service as United States Attorney General from 1967 to 1969, under President Lyndon B. Johnson...
later stated after Pomeroy's death, "Wes Pomeroy was a loving and gentle person who worked hard, over the years, to heal the violence in our society.. He was one of the few people in law enforcement whose interest and commitment was humanitarian and who understood that security depends finally on love not force."
Pomeroy returned to public service in 1977 under the Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
administration. He was a consultant on the Drug Abuse Council now part of the National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institute on Drug Abuse
The National Institute on Drug Abuse is a United States federal-government research institute whose mission is to "lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction."-History:...
before becoming the Assistant Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Drug Enforcement Administration
The Drug Enforcement Administration is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Justice, tasked with combating drug smuggling and use within the United States...
He also served as the Associate Director of the White House Office of Drug Abuse Policy (now the Office of National Drug Control Policy).
Woodstock Festival
One of the most memorable aspects of Wesley Pomeroy's career was serving as Vice President and Director of Security for the Woodstock FestivalWoodstock Festival
Woodstock Music & Art Fair was a music festival, billed as "An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music". It was held at Max Yasgur's 600-acre dairy farm in the Catskills near the hamlet of White Lake in the town of Bethel, New York, from August 15 to August 18, 1969...
of 1969. Despite high-profile bands and almost 500,000 in attendance, there were only 2 confirmed deaths, both of which were accidental. Pomeroy went on to head security for some high-profile bands' US tours, including Led Zeppelin.
He described the problems with such a large festival in an interview with the Redwood City Tribune. "I think I would discourage anyone thinking about putting on another one. When you get that many people together who want to use drugs and take off their clothes, it is impossible to enforce the laws against those things," he was quoted. The last Woodstock concert
Woodstock 1999
Woodstock 1999, also called Woodstock 99, performed July 22–25, 1999, was the second large-scale music festival that attempted to emulate the original Woodstock Festival of 1969. Like the previous Woodstock festivals it was performed in upstate New York, this time in Rome, New York, around 200...
, in 1999, was shut down early due to violence, rape, fires, and other malicious civil unrest.
Career after government service
Pomeroy briefly had a criminal justice consulting firm from 1969 to 1971 when he relocated his family from Falls Church, Virginia to MinnesotaMinnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
after taking a job with the University of Minnesota. The Board of Regents appointed Pomeroy as the Director of Safety and Development in 1971. He held this position until 1974 when he resigned to return to traditional law enforcement. Pomeroy moved back to California and served as the Berkeley, CA chief of police. He left this post in 1977 at the request to serve in Jimmy Carter's
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
administration.
After Carter left office, Pomeroy became the deputy director of the Michigan Department of Mental Health. He went on to become an honorary fellow with the American Psychiatric Association
American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychiatric Association is the main professional organization of psychiatrists and trainee psychiatrists in the United States, and the most influential worldwide. Its some 38,000 members are mainly American but some are international...
, an award seldom given to non-physicians.
Pomeroy assumed the role of Executive Director of the Miami-Dade Independent Review Panel in 1983. He retains the title in emeritus to this day. His service in this capacity was so valued that mandatory ordinances for retirement were suspended twice so that he could continue in this position. After heart bypass surgery, he retired in 1995.
Organizational involvement
Wesley Pomeroy was a key figure in the creation of prominent organizations and served important advisory roles in others. He was the founder and president of the International Association of the Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (now the National Association of the Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement), was a founder of the Police Executive Research ForumPolice Executive Research Forum
The Police Executive Research Forum is a national membership organization of police executives from the largest city, county and state law enforcement agencies, primarily in the United States. The organization is dedicated to improving policing and advancing professionalism through research and...
, and a founding member of the International Study of Panetics. He was also a long-time member of the American Civil Liberties Union
American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
(where he also previously served on the Board of Directors), National Drug Strategy Network, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (also serving on the advisory board in 1977), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, usually abbreviated as NAACP, is an African-American civil rights organization in the United States, formed in 1909. Its mission is "to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to...
, American Psychiatric Association
American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychiatric Association is the main professional organization of psychiatrists and trainee psychiatrists in the United States, and the most influential worldwide. Its some 38,000 members are mainly American but some are international...
, the Drug Policy Foundation (where he also served as a director until his death), and the Unrepresented People's Positive Action Council.
Death
Wesley Pomeroy died May 4, 1998, aged 78, at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, FL, of complications from heart failure.He was survived by his second wife, Lonna P. Carroll, three daughters: Nancy Bucher of Palm Springs, CA, Virginia Pomeroy of Germantown, WI, and Victoria Pomeroy of Germantown, TN as well as five grandchildren, four stepchildren and six step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Patricia Pomeroy.