The Black Policemen's Association was formed in 1978 by 10 black officers on the Little Rock Police Department to address the concerns of the exsisting issues and conditions within the Department that adversely effected black officers to the Department's Administration, City Government Officials, and Community Leaders. The organization is affiliated with the National Black Police Association (NBPA), which was formed in 1972. Its’ first president was Johnny Gilbert, Sr. along with Andrew Lockhart, Julius Bryant, Maxie Alexander, Jesse Briscoe, Jack Matlock, Marcella Wilson, Grady Anthony, Billy O’Donald and Horace Walters.

The name of the organization was changed in latter years from the Black Policemen Association, Inc of Little Rock to its present name: Little Rock Black Police Officers Association (LRBPOA).