POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — Despite heavy rain that canceled a planned memorial march, hundreds of Black law enforcement officers from across the country gathered in South Florida on Saturday to kick off the 49th annual conference of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, also known as NOBLE.
More than 10 charter buses filled with officers arrived in Pompano Beach for what many described as a “family reunion.”
The annual event is held in a different city each year but with the same mission: to serve communities from within.
The opening service took place at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, where attendees honored fallen officers and reaffirmed the organization’s long-standing commitment to advocacy, community engagement and professional development.
Founded in 1976, NOBLE now has more than 48,000 members nationwide.
Its leadership says the focus remains on supporting Black law enforcement professionals and improving public safety through stronger relationships with the communities they serve.
“To be able to come in and provide you tutelage, guidance and professional development,” said Colonel Jeffrey Glover, NOBLE’s president.
Cerelyn Davis, the Memphis police chief and former NOBLE president, emphasized the importance of unity and representation in law enforcement leadership.
“How do we come together to represent our communities and how do we make sure we have a voice at the table about what’s good for our community?” Davis asked.
As the organization approaches its 50th year, incoming NOBLE president Renee Hall said the path forward includes continued transparency and cultural understanding.
“Cultural competency helps us do our jobs much better,” Hall said. “It allows us to relate to our communities so our police agencies should be reflective of the communities we serve.”
The NOBLE conference continues throughout the weekend and will wrap up Tuesday. Click here for more information on the organization.
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