[3][8] The formation of the AAPL led to an increase in minority officers and civil rights lawsuits against the CPD for the discrimination of African American and Hispanic citizens.

[8] After the founding of the AAPL, Robinson and other members were often suspended, brought up on charges for minor infractions, reassigned to less desirable positions and threatened with dismissal from the police force as the CPD hoped to dismantle the organization.

[12] Despite the hardships in the department Robinson however was backed by Harold Washington, a member of the Illinois House of Representatives who would become Chicago's first African American mayor.

In August 1983, Robinson resigned from the police force when he was appointed to chair the Chicago Housing Authority by newly elected African-American Mayor Harold Washington.

He was criticized for the firing of the authority's elevator mechanics and maintenance personnel without having adequate replacements, which caused problems for residents living in high-rise buildings.

[13] In 1984, Robinson began a political war with the new executive director Zirl Smith for control over the Chicago Housing Authority which lasted for three years.