May 2016
NOBLE Executive Update

Gregory A. Thomas
National President


Dwayne A. Crawford
Executive Director

 

Rev. Dr. Barbara Y. Williams-Harris
NOBLE National Chaplain

Spiritual Vitamin H
We are now on our 8
th vitamin, continue to take them monthly and you will see results.

Food for thought- An airstrip is made for you to get on the runway and begin to fly" BYWH

Remember, the Chaplaincy of NOBLE is available to you, for you and about you.

H - Learn to Handle yourself first before trying to handle others

H - Here is where we start

H - Honor those who have built the bridges you now walk over

H - Humility is one of the greatest gifts to show to others

H - You will always be a Hero to someone else

H - Humor will open doors that conversations keep closed

H - Never give up Hope

H - Hold fast and Hold on to God's unchanging Hand

"Handle yourself, Here is how we start as we Honor our Elders with Humility for they will always be our Hero's.  Never give up Hope, Hold fast and Hold on for Help is on the way."



The ABCs of Parliamentary Procedure
By Charles Fonseca

Parliamentary procedure is the body of rules, ethics, and customs governing meetings and other operations of clubs, organizations, legislative bodies, and other deliberative assemblies.

Parliamentary procedure is also referred to as parliamentary law, parliamentary practice, legislative procedure, or rules of order. At its heart it is the rule of the majority with respect for the minority. Parliamentary Procedure, often used interchangeably with "Parliamentary Law," is defined as the rules of order that a given assembly or organization has adopted.  It also refers to the commonly accepted way that a group of people comes together to make decisions. The object of Parliamentary Procedure is to allow deliberation upon questions of interest to the organization and to arrive at the sense or the will of the assembly upon these
questions. Self-governing organizations follow parliamentary procedure to debate and reach group decisions-usually by vote-with the least possible friction.
In this and the subsequent four issues I will use the letters of the alphabet to focus upon the Parliamentary Procedure Domain. Here are letters A-C.

A is for
Abstain: To refrain from voting
Adjourn: To officially close a meeting
Adopt: To accept, agree, or approve
Agenda: The order of business
Amend: To modify wording or meaning
Aye: An affirmative voice vote

B is for
Ballot: A piece of paper on which a member votes
Board: An administrative body
Bylaws: Written rules governing an organization

C is for
Carried: To adopt a motion
Chair: The station from which the presiding officer presides
Committee: One or more persons appointed/elected to complete a task
Custom: Uniform, long established, practice


*** To be continued


 
In Memoriam 
Former National President Chief Willie L. Williams
 
"The members of NOBLE are mourning the loss of our dear friend and former National President, Police Chief Willie L. Williams.  Williams served as NOBLE's national president from 1991-1992 and devoted his tenure to improving the career prospects of young African-American officers.  He worked tirelessly to win directorships for African-Americans over federal law enforcement agencies.    For many in his community Williams was an inspiration and proof that inner-city children who lived in a world of crime and poverty can improve themselves and their communities.  
 
"In the days and weeks following the verdict in the Rodney King beating trial, which resulted in riots that left parts of the city in ashes; Williams stepped in and became the Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD) first black Police Chief.  He was a proponent of community policing and accountability and used it to bridge the healing process.  Williams had an open door policy and was willing to listen to all sides of the any issues brought to his attention. 
 
"When Willie first joined the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) in the early 1960's there were virtually no career opportunities for African-American officers.  He rose through the ranks and was appointed commissioner after the controversial 1985 bombing of the MOVE cult.  He ran the Philadelphia Police Department until 1992.  In 1996, Williams published Taking Back Our Streets: Fighting Crime in America, the book was co-written with Bruce Henderson and discusses Williams' philosophy on community policing.   In 2002, Williams was appointed Federal Security Director at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports.  In each and every one of his leadership roles Williams consistently, in that gentle, and understated way of his, put the interests of the whole ahead of the interests of the individual.
 
"Chief Willie L. Williams's legacy challenges us today, as law enforcement executives, to come together and be bridge builders in the communities we serve.
 
"Willie L. Williams will be missed.  My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Evelina, their family - the children, and grandchildren, in whom he had so much pride - and to the many friends and the communities he served."

Law Enforcement Officers Lost in the Line of Duty
  • May 1, 2016, Florida Department of Corrections Sergeant Jorge Ramos collapsed while participating in a statewide Correctional Emergency Response Team training competition. Sergeant Ramos was transported to the hospital where he died two days later. Sergeant Ramos is the second officer to have died due to a medical emergency in 2016 and the third officer fatality from the state of Florida.
  • April 18, 2016, U.S. Border Patrol TX, U.S. Customs & Border Protection Agent Jose Daniel Barraza was killed in a vehicle crash when his patrol truck collided with the rear of a semi-truck. Agent Barraza's canine partner suffered minor injuries. Agent Barraza is the seventh officer to have died in a vehicle crash in 2016 and the first fatality for the U.S. Border Patrol.
  • April 12, 2016, Columbus, OH, Columbus Police Officer Steven M. Smith died from a gunshot wound sustained two days earlier while serving an arrest warrant as part of the SWAT Team. Officer Smith was inside an armored vehicle when the suspect opened fire from inside his apartment, hitting Officer Smith. Officer Smith was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his wounds two days later. Officer Smith is the seventeenth office to have been shot and killed in 2016 and the second officer fatality from the state of Ohio.
  • March 31, 2016, VA, Virginia State Police Trooper Chad P. Dermyer was shot and killed while participating in interdiction training at a Greyhound bus station. Trooper Dermyer was interviewing a suspect when the suspect produced a handgun and shot Trooper Dermyer. Other troopers on the scene returned fire, killing the suspect. Trooper Dermyer is the sixteenth officer to have been shot and killed in 2016 and the second officer fatality from the state of Virginia.
Delano Reid Makes ATF History
 
NOBLE Member Reid Becomes First African American in Charge of the New York Field Division for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives
 
Delano A. Reid was recently appointed Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF), making him the first African American in the history of the ATF New York Field Division to hold this coveted position. He is responsible for ATF operations throughout the entire State of New York. And Reid is a NOBLE New York Chapter member.
 
Ried has made history with his appointment. The ATF was formed back to 1791 but it was not until 1965, with the passage of civil rights legislation, were ATF and its legacy agencies minority pioneers of the American Federal law enforcement community afforded the equality status to serve as Federal law enforcement officers and inspectors.
 
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 transferred the law enforcement duties and responsibilities of ATF from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to the U.S. Department of Justice.

 
Alfred Thomas Becomes The First African-American Police Chief Of The Charlottesville City, Va.

Alfred Thomas has become the first African-American chief of police of the City of Charlottesville Police Department. Colonel Thomas replaced Chief Tim Longo, whose retirement began May 1. The Virginia-based Thomas was selected through an appointment process for police chief that involves an application and numerous interviews.  Thomas was interviewed by three panels, two of which were comprised of community members, another made up of police staff and a city leadership panel. 

Thomas is scheduled to officially begin
  May 23.

National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Praises the Selection of Atlanta Police Veteran Cerelyn "C.J." Davis as the New Police Chief for the City of Durham, North Carolina

ALEXANDRIA, VA- Today, April 29, 2016, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) National President Gregory Thomas, issued the following statement regarding the appointment of Atlanta Police Department (APD) Deputy Chief Cerelyn "C.J. " Davis as the new police chief for the City of Durham, North Carolina.:

"On behalf of NOBLE members, and the executive board, we would like to congratulate Atlanta Police Department (APD) Deputy Chief "C.J." Davis on her appointment as the new police chief for the City of Durham, North Carolina. Chief Davis is a 30-year veteran of the APD and is a member of NOBLE's executive board and serves as our Sergeant of Arms parliamentarian. Davis has a proven record of exemplary leadership and her training and background have prepared her to take on this new role. In her current role, Deputy Chief Davis manages several units including Community Liaison, Project Management, Public Affairs Staff Inspections, the Atlanta Retired Police Reserve, Planning and Research Accreditation, Crime Analysis and Video Integration. Chief Davis is an excellent choice. "We applaud the City of Durham for their selection of Chief Davis for this role and know that she will be an invaluable addition to the city."

Chicago Police Department Associate Members Promoted to Sergeant Rank
Newly promoted Sergeants from left to right: Philonies McCray, Tanyshia Parlor, Danielle Barnes, and Bryant Neely

NOBLE Recognizes the 50th Anniversary of Law Day May 1st

"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you?"

On May 1, 2016 the United States celebrated the 50th anniversary of perhaps the nation's best-known U.S. Supreme Court case, Miranda v. Arizona. The Miranda Warning has become ingrained in law enforcement and has permeated popular culture. The 2016 Law Day theme,  "Miranda: More than Words," explored the procedural protections afforded to all of us by the U.S. Constitution, how these rights are safeguarded by the courts, and why the preservation of these principles is essential to our liberty.

"This year's theme provides an opportunity to explore our criminal justice system and the importance of procedural fairness and equal justice under the law, stated President Gregory Thomas.  President Thomas continues, "NOBLE membership filled the day with activities and participated in numerous discussion.  During the rest of the week, there will be Law Day activities and we look forward to engaging the community.

President Barack Obama also recognized the importance of Law Day. The President stated: "Miranda v. Arizona imparts an important lesson: Knowledge of our constitutional rights is an essential component to fully exercising those rights. Safeguarding the promise of equal justice requires the participation of all our citizens, and across America, community and court programs that offer civic education and prepare members of the public to fulfill their civic responsibilities are vital to this task."

About Law Day

Law Day is an annual commemoration first held in 1957 when American Bar Association President Charles Rhynes envisioned a special national day to mark our nation's commitment to the rule of law. The following year, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Law Day Proclamation. Law Day was made official in 1961 when Congress issued a joint resolution designating May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day.  

NOBLE Teams With Other Law Enforcement Organizations To Aide Flint Residents


"A Day Of Giving" Provides Much-Needed Water & Other Supplies"

On April 23rd, the Retired Detroit Police Members Association (RDPMA) and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives-Metro Detroit Chapter (NOBLE) joined together to rally law enforcement and the community for "a day of giving."

NOBLE and RDPMA asked community, businesses, churches, schools, community organizations and individuals to donate bottled and gallon container water, sanitizing supplies such as baby and disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizers, paper plates, cups and plastic eating utensils to the citizens of Flint during the organizations' "Law Enforcement for Flint" rally.

"I was born and raised in Flint and I have family and friends suffering there; the media does not actually capture the anguish and feeling of helplessness felt by the residents of Flint," said Ellis Stafford, President of NOBLE-Metro Detroit Chapter.

Alaska State Trooper Captain Anthony April Receives Prince Hall Masonry Award

On April 16, Grand Master Curtis E. B. Harris of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska, F&AM and its Jurisdiction Inc. presented an award to Captain Anthony April of the Alaska State Troopers.

During the annual awards ceremony, awards were given to the Masons and to the Sisters of the Order of Eastern Star.  Captain April (who is also Brother April) was honored with the Grand Masters Award, which recognizes members whose contributions far exceed what is expected of them during the years.  

Brother April was the 2015 Mason of the Year for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge for his exceptional leadership and service and he was recognized by the Shiloh Community Development, Inc. for Outstanding Community Services.  Additionally, April was recognized by the Young Lions Program of Shiloh Baptist Church for his work with the mentees and community service.

He has served as Worshipful Master of his lodge (Mt. McKinley Lodge No. 2) for two years and he served as District Deputy Grand Master At-Large for more than four years.

During his tenure with the Alaska State Troopers, he was featured on all recruitment media--from posters to the Troopers' official Facebook page. He has been elected to the boards of Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police and Fraternal Order of Alaska State Troopers. April also established the first leadership role with the Women in Law Enforcement recruitment event at UAA as the lead agency.

His duties as a District Deputy Grand Master include conducting himself in the highest caliber as his interactions represent all the Masons and Eastern Star members of the entire state of Alaska.  He has recently been rewarded with even greater responsibility as he was nominated for and ran unopposed for an executive position in the Grand Lodge.  On April 18, was elected as the Junior Grand Warden of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska, F&AM and its Jurisdiction Inc.  This puts him in the fourth highest position in the state of Alaska, and Masonry in general.

Veteran Officer Dexter Williams Named Chief of Police in Miramar Florida

 
Longtime police officer Dexter Williams has been appointed the chief of police in Miramar, Florida.  Police Chief Dexter Williams will be leading the city's 220 sworn police officers and 80 civilian employees. Williams, 45, had been on the city's police for for more than 20 years. He was recently appointed chief of police by City Manager Kathleen Woods-Richardson.

Prior To this promotion, Williams was assistant chief and had been serving as interim chief after Ray Black retired as the agency's leader in January.      
     
Williams, a married father of two girls (ages 20 and 17), began his career as a detention officer for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. He later worked two years as a police officer in Pembroke Pines before joining Miramar's police department in 1993.

Since being with the department, Williams has led various divisions, including patrol operations, internal affairs, field training operations, criminal investigations, crime scene, property and evidence; domestic violence and victim services; citizens volunteer programs and recruitment. He had also been executive officer to the chief and assistant chief.

Williams, who received a bachelor of science degree in public administration from Barry University and two masters degrees (in justice administration and public management) from St. Thomas University, is a 2003 graduate of the FBI National Academy.

In an interview WIlliams said of his goals as Chief, "I just want to keep the agency on the right trajectory, building trust in police work and crime reduction. Another one we need to pay more attention to is officer training and education, so that they can bring new ideas into their communities." In regards to equipping officers with body cameras on officers, Williams said the cost of storing video is a challenge. He said: "We're monitoring the industry. It's quite an expensive venture. Before I introduce something that will cost our taxpayers money every year, I want to vet that process well."

How One Police Officer Went From Beat Cop to The Go-To TV News Security Expert
                              
Little did police officer Matthew Horace know that he would wind up as a TV news security expert when he joined the force nearly three decades ago.
In December 1985, Horace became a police officer for the Arlington County Police Department in Virginia. In 1988 he became a special agent for the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, where he led local, regional, national and international firearms, arson and explosive investigations. Since 2012 he has been the senior vice president and chief security officer for FJC Security Services. And now the Forks Township, Pennsylvania, resident is also a frequent security commentator and analyst on such major news outlets as CNN, MSNBC, FOX and local TV affiliates throughout the U.S. and internationally.

Horace, who is immediate past president of The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives NNJ, has been interviewed on a number of subjects, including the recent Brussels bombing, in which more than 30 people were killed and 230 people were wounded.

And as a security expert, Horace has traveled through all 50 states as well as various foreign countries as a keynote speaker and is regularly requested to provide do discussions, lectures and training exercises. Through his work, he has met nearly every U.S. president in his lifetime.
A Philadelphia native who initially aspired to become a professional football player, Horace attended Delaware State University on a football scholarship and earned his bachelor's degree in English in 1985. He actually tried out for the New York Giants but was cut from the team. Horace went on to earn a master's degree in leadership and human resources development from Seton Hall University in 2013.

Horace is an advisory board member of the Federal Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation, president of the 100 Black Men of New Jersey, and a member of numerous other professional organizations. In addition, he is also is an adjunct professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he teaches about leadership and crisis communication.

Horace is also an author. He recently co-authored a book, along with life coach Towanna Freeman, titled, "The C.A.L.L." The book aims to empower young men. Another book, one he authored himself, "Coptics," explores how new technology plays a role in crime scenes and will be released in late 2016 or early 2017.

Lieutenant Patricia Brown of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Recognized for Her Leadership Skills

Lieutenant Patricia Brown of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office has been nominated for the 2016 Leadership Excellence Award presented by Leadership Palm Beach County. The Leadership Excellence Award celebrates individuals who are living examples of the vision and mission of Leadership Palm Beach County and who reflect the leadership qualities of integrity, compassion, credibility, passion, risk-taking, fairness, empowerment and humility.  

Brown, who is Lieutenant/Executive Officer- West Detention Center Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, has more than 22 years of management and leadership experience with 14 years of correctional administrative experience in numerous areas.

Prior to becoming Lieutenant/Executive Officer in April 2010, she was Lieutenant/Executive Officer-Corrections Support Division and before that Executive Officer/Accreditation Manager- Standards and Staff Development and Lieutenant/Executive Officer-Main Detention Center.

In her off time, she is a mentor with the Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County.

Leadership Palm Beach County, Inc. is an educational nonprofit organization designed to foster awareness of countywide issues and build community stewardship among existing and emerging community leaders.