Once black officers understand and accept that contemporary organizations are largely political systems, they can develop strategies to help them acquire the power to become and operate successfully as executives. It is also important to have a relationship with a senior executive who can counsel and guide young officers in career development. Educational institutions must play a major role in increasing the number of black police executives. They must use research to measure the discriminatory environment of organizations and develop methods for eliminating its effects. Research must also be conducted to determine the type of training black supervisors and executives need to become effective managers. Further, universities must take the lead in fighting the obvious backlash that occurs due to the promotion of blacks. Finally, universities must use blacks, particularly black police executives, in teaching roles. Black advancement in the police ranks can also be facilitated by the use of promotional systems other than performance evaluation, a written test, and an oral interview. A literature review indicates that blacks receive average performance ratings regardless of their level of performance. Some possible optional selection systems include expanding the number of persons selected from minorities, using assessment centers, having exempt supervisory positions, lateral entry, rank jumping, and banding of candidates. The creation of exempt positions appears to be the surest way to increase the number of blacks in higher ranking positions.