M.L. Harney | |
---|---|
Northwest District Administrator Bureau of Prohibition | |
Appointed by | Secretary Andrew W. Mellon |
Deputy Commissioner Federal Bureau of Narcotics | |
Special Coordinator for Narcotics Department of the Treasury | |
Personal details | |
Born | 11 June 1895 Duluth, Minnesota, US |
Died | 24 February 1984 Hennepin County, Minnesota |
Resting place | Fort Snelling National Cemetery |
Alma mater | University of Minnesota |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
Rank | Second Lieutenant |
Battles/wars | World War I |
Malachi Lawrence Harney (11 June 1895 – 24 February 1984) was an American federal law enforcement investigator for the United States Department of the Treasury and the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and the coauthor of several nonfiction books related to law enforcement with John C. Cross. During the Prohibition era, Harney was Eliot Ness's boss at Treasury, responsible for the arrest and capture of Al Capone. Later in his career, Harney was one of the strongest advocates of anti-drug policies in the United States, publishing articles and giving speeches espousing the drug war.[1]
The historical consensus today maintains that M.L. Harney was a racist who propagated racially motivated policies in law enforcement, especially in the creation and maintenance of anti-marijuana practices, and the rejection of black police officers in America.[1]