WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), represents over three thousand five hundred (3,500) members nationwide, primarily Chief Executive Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners; and

WHEREAS, The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) supports the accreditation of Law Enforcement and other Public Safety Agencies by compliance with a body of professional standards; and

WHEREAS, The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives in 1979, joined with three other Law Enforcement Executive Associations, The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), The National Sheriff’s Association (NSA), and The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), developed standards and created the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) to administer the process; and

WHEREAS, CALEA has provided accreditation services for 25 years enhancing the professional standing of the law enforcement agencies and the profession, in general,

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives issues this resolution commending CALEA as they observe 25 years of service to the law enforcement profession; and be it further resolved that NOBLE pledges its continued support of CALEA’s accreditation services.

Adopted during the 28th Annual Training Conference on July 14, 2004, in Dallas, Texas

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), represents over three thousand five hundred (3,500) members nationwide, primarily Chief Executive Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners; and

WHEREAS, NOBLE believes that it is important to raise the level of security, awareness and consciousness within the African American community concerning problems which adversely affect programs which could reduce first responders from having the necessary resources to meet an ever increasing threat; and

WHEREAS, NOBLE believes administrative burdens exist which adversely affect the expeditious award of terrorism preparedness grants; and

WHEREAS, there appears to be no regional strategic planning towards current preparedness efforts for states as well as linkage of grant funds to a State strategic plan; and

WHEREAS, a significant amount of total state terrorism preparedness grants are not being allocated with regard for the threat of terrorist attack, the vulnerability of key assets, terrorists’ known capabilities and intentions, or state or regional population; and

WHEREAS, there is a lack of planning for grant expenditures, differing local requirements for municipal approval of expenditures; and

WHEREAS, there is a vital need to assist first responders by prioritizing assistance where risk is greatest, determining the essential capabilities communities need to prepare for terrorism, encouraging regional cooperation and mutual aid agreements through regional applications; and

NOW THEREFORE ,  BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Organization  of  Black Law Enforcement Executives fully supports the immediate passage of H.R. 3266 – The Faster and Smarter Funding For First Responders Act.

Adopted during the 28th Annual Training Conference on July 14, 2004, in Dallas, Texas

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), represents over three thousand five hundred (3,500) members nationwide, primarily Chief Executive Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners; and

WHEREAS, NOBLE believes that it is important to raise the level of security, awareness and consciousness within the African American community concerning problems which adversely affect programs which could reduce first responders from having the necessary resources to meet an ever increasing threat; and

WHEREAS, NOBLE believes administrative burdens exist which adversely affect the expeditious award of terrorism preparedness grants; and

WHEREAS, there appears to be no regional strategic planning towards current preparedness efforts for states as well as linkage of grant funds to a State strategic plan; and

WHEREAS, a significant amount of total state terrorism preparedness grants are not being allocated with regard for the threat of terrorist attack, the vulnerability of key assets, terrorists’ known capabilities and intentions, or state or regional population; and

WHEREAS, there is a lack of planning for grant expenditures, differing local requirements for municipal approval of expenditures; and

WHEREAS, there is a vital need to assist first responders by prioritizing assistance where risk is greatest, determining the essential capabilities communities need to prepare for terrorism, encouraging regional cooperation and mutual aid agreements through regional applications; and

NOW THEREFORE ,  BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Organization  of  Black Law Enforcement Executives fully supports the immediate passage of H.R. 3266 – The Faster and Smarter Funding For First Responders Act.

Adopted during the 28th Annual Training Conference on July 14, 2004, in Dallas, Texas

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), represents over four thousand three hundred (4,300) members nationwide, primarily Chief Executive Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners;

and WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives' (NOBLE) Civil Rights Committee, with the support of the National Organization pledges its support of a partnership with the International Association of Chief of Police's (IACP) Civil Rights Committee, and to working together to seek resolution of all civil and human rights issues in Law Enforcement;

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives fully supports this partnership with the International Association of Chiefs of Police to address civil and human rights issues in law enforcement.

Adopted August 1, 2001 at the 25th Annual Training Conference

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), represents over four thousand three hundred (4,300) members nationwide, primarily Chief Executive Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners; and

WHEREAS, legislation has been proposed seeking the establishment of a National Museum within the Smithsonian Institution addressing the African American History, Culture, Life, and Art; and

WHEREAS, the proposed legislation authorizes the use of Smithsonian's arts and industries building on the mall as a site for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, along with the potential annex facilities to showcase the permanent collection of records and art-crafts spanning over 400 years of African American History; and

WHEREAS, the legislation establishes a council responsible for the overseeing renovation of the arts and industries building and establishment of museum collections; and

WHEREAS, the legislation authorizes $15 million in FY 2002 for the council to carry out this act; and

WHEREAS ,the proposed legislation authorizes and educational and scholarship component for the new museum as well as affiliations with other museums of African American History and authorizes $10 million in FY 2002 for the NMHAAHC's office of educational and liaison office;

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives supports enactment of this legislation.

Adopted August 1, 2001 at the 25th Annual Training Conference

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), represents over four thousand three hundred (4,300) members nationwide, primarily Chief Executive Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners; and

WHEREAS in September, 1996 the Public Safety Wireless Committee (PSWAC) documented the need of 97.5 MHz of additional spectrum to meet the needs of public safety of which the greatest need will be for advanced wideband and broadband technology; and

WHEREAS, there is no spectrum allocated to allow public safety agencies to implement emerging broadband technologies for mission critical needs; and

WHEREAS, as of June 2001, the FCC has allocated only 24 MHz of additional spectrum for public safety; and

WHEREAS, ever changing technology has provided increased opportunities for public safety agencies to use wireless communications to provide more efficient and effective service to its clients; and

WHEREAS, the need for timely access to, accurately, easily understandable information, simultaneously from multiple requesters is the greatest challenge facing communications professionals today; and

WHEREAS, public safety agencies are communications critical, and life or death decisions are based on the senders ability to obtain the air and transmit and receive messages; and

WHEREAS, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), has identified 50 MHz of spectrum at 4.94 to 4.99 GHZ available for reallocation to other segments at no cost to new users; and

WHEREAS, the FCC has initiated a proceeding (docket # wt 00-32) to reallocate the 50 MHz of spectrum at 4.94 to 4.99 GHZ; and

WHEREAS, the FCC proposal recognized potential interest of public safety organizations in the band, but instead proposed to auction the 50 MHz of spectrum for commercial fixed and mobile wireless services; and

WHEREAS, no law exist which would prevent the FCC from allocating this spectrum for public safety use;

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives recommends that the FCC allocate the entire 50 MHz of spectrum at 4.94 GHZ to 4.99 GHZ to public safety users for broad band wireless communications.

Adopted August 1, 2001 at the 25th Annual Training Conference

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), represents over four thousand three hundred (4,300) members nationwide, primarily Chief Executive Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners; and

WHEREAS, the principal goal of the nation's law enforcement executives is to protect the public safety; and

WHEREAS, the members of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) work continuously to fight crime and remove criminals from our streets and neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, both rigorous scientific research and years of experience on the front lines show that we can greatly reduce crime by families having access to quality after-school programs, school readiness child program, help for troubled kids, and abuse and neglect prevention programs; and

WHEREAS, investments like these more than pay for themselves in reduced crime and punishment costs, reduced welfare and remedial education costs, and increased revenue generated by productive workers; and

WHEREAS, the Fight Crime: Invest in Kids School and Youth Violence Prevention Plan calls on all public officials to fully fund after school programs, quality school readiness child care programs, programs that help get troubled kids back on track, and programs proven to improve parenting and prevent child abuse and neglect,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives fully supports the Fight Crime and Invest in Kids Initiative and its legislative agenda.

Adopted on August 1, 2001 at NOBLE 25th Annual Conference.

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), represents over four thousand three hundred (4,300) members nationwide, primarily Chief Executive Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners; and

WHEREAS, motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for African American children from birth through the age of 14; and

WHEREAS, African American children ages 5 through 12 face a risk of dying in a motor vehicle crash that is almost three times as great as Caucasian children; and

WHEREAS, safety belt and child restraint use among African American is more than 10 percentage points lower than the national average; and

WHEREAS, when drivers are not wearing seat belts, young children are restrained only 24% of the time; and

WHEREAS, a recent public opinion survey shows that 42% of minor children are at a greater risk of air bag related injuries because they are more frequently placed in rear facing infant seats in the front seat of vehicles with passenger side air bags; and

WHEREAS, research on the effectiveness of child safety seats has found that they reduce fatal injuries for infants (less than 1 year old), by 69% and toddlers (1 to 4 years of age), by 47%,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives supports initiatives of public/Private partnerships, community and law enforcement mobilizations, and safety and education efforts to reduce the number of injuries and deaths of African American children and all children by identifying and implementing programs to inform, educate and supply child restraints for the community in order to provide for a better quality of life and a reduction in vehicle collision fatalities.

Adopted August 1, 2001 at NOBLE 25th Annual Conference

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), represents over four thousand three hundred (4,300) members nationwide, primarily Chief Executive Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners; and

WHEREAS, the Community Relations Service (CRS), an arm of the U.S. Department of Justice, is a specialized Federal conciliation service available to State and local officials to help resolve and prevent racial and ethnic conflict, violence and civil disorder; and

WHEREAS, CRS assists State and local units of government, private and public organizations, and community groups in restoring community racial stability and harmony; and

WHEREAS, CRS lends its services when requested or when it believes peaceful community relations may be threatened; and

WHEREAS, CRS is available to work onsite with State and local officials and community leaders; and

WHEREAS, CRS contributes expertise and guidance on methods and policies that calm racial tensions and conflict; and

WHEREAS, CRS builds strategies with State and local governments and community groups to prevent and respond to civil disorders; and

WHEREAS, CRS improves lines of communication among Federal, State, and local public officials and community leaders and residents; and

WHEREAS, CRS helps establish programs to eliminate racial misconceptions and build multiracial coalitions; and

WHEREAS, CRS tries to provide a high caliber of conflict resolution and prevention services to those communities most vulnerable to significant race relations tensions, conflicts, and violence; and

WHEREAS, CRS tries to establish bridges between minority groups and law enforcement organizations in order to improve relations and community safety, and to reduce the potential for community conflict; and

WHEREAS, CRS tries to improve the preparedness of communities to respond to civil unrest, including activities by hate groups, through the provision of training, contingency planning, and technical assistance; and

WHEREAS, CRS will be prepared to provide on-site services in major racial or ethnic crisis situations within 24 hours from the time when a community notifies CRS or CRS becomes aware of the crisis; and

WHEREAS, CRS can help law enforcement officials meet with family and community members to advise them about the process and progress of law enforcement investigations;

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives fully supports the mission and goals of the Community Relations Service.

Adopted August 1, 2001 at the 25th Annual Training Conference

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), represents over four thousand three hundred (4,300) members nationwide, primarily Chief Executive Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners; and

WHEREAS, there are an estimated 193 million guns in America with some estimates ranging as high as 250 million; and

WHEREAS, there is a gun in 43% of households with children in America; and

WHEREAS, more children, teenagers and adult family members are dying from firearms in their own home rather than from criminal intruders; and

WHEREAS, because handguns and other firearms are so easily accessible to many children, adolescents and other family members in their homes, the risk of gun violence in the home increases dramatically; and

WHEREAS, a gun in the home also increases the likelihood of an unintentional shooting, particularly among children; and

WHEREAS, studies have found that most parents don't discuss the issue of guns in the home with the parents of their children's friends;

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives is committed to partnering with the Brady Center to advocate responsible legislation aimed at developing safe storage laws that require adults to store firearms in a place that is inaccessible to children; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives is committed to supporting the overall goals and objectives of the Brady Campaign and the Brady Center.

Adopted August 1, 2001 at the 25th Annual Training Conference

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), represents over four thousand three hundred (4,300) members nationwide, primarily Chief Executive Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners; and

WHEREAS, seat belt use for African Americans is an urgent public health crisis, nothing should prevent America from reaching its goal of saving lives and reducing injuries through the increased use of seat belts and child safety seats; and

WHEREAS, this crisis compels immediate strategic action; and

WHEREAS, the seat belt issue is not and can not be readily separated from the other health disparity and at risk behaviors in the African American community; nor can seat belt use be detached from the context of historical issues of credibility and fairness; and

WHEREAS, low seat belt use is an opportunity fraught with complexity, which involves enormous consequences for safety, health and justice in the African American community; and

WHEREAS, enormous resources, incentives and positive reinforcement are required to effect change in this area; and

WHEREAS, the prospect of losing even one more life where seat belt or child safety seat use could have made a difference underscores the urgency of this crisis; and

WHEREAS, The Blue Ribbon Panel has developed ten (10) strategies to increase seat belt and child restraint use among African Americans; and

WHEREAS, the strategies derived by the Blue Ribbon Panel for African Americans are collaborative and applicable to other ethnic American populations;

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the State and Provincial Police Steering Committee of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives resolve to support the strategy recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel to increase seat belt use among African Americans to protect the lives and well being of African Americans and other minorities of all ages; and

THEREFORE, be it further resolved that the State and Provincial Police Steering Committee of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives recommends that the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives adopt this resolution in support of the Blue Ribbon Panel recommendations to increase seat belt usage in the African American community.

Adopted August 1, 2001 at the 25th Annual Conference.

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), represents over four thousand three hundred (4,300) members nationwide, primarily Chief Executive Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners; and

WHEREAS, NOBLE is dedicated to being a component educational organization that continuously learns from the collective knowledge of its members and other sources of criminal justice research and data and to providing opportunities that support the development of NOBLE members for leadership positions in law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) is a 501©(3)non-for-profit organizations, funded by an annual congressional appropriation through the Bureau of Justice Assistance; and

WHEREAS, the NW3C membership represents several state and local law enforcement agencies, attorneys general offices, state regulatory agencies, national consumer advocacy organizations, and private-sector businesses in 50 states; and

WHEREAS, the NW3C provides a nationwide support system for the prevention, investigation, and prosecutions of economic and high tech crimes through its intelligence and analytical services, training and research; and

WHEREAS, NOBLE members have benefited from the investigative support, financial investigation, and computer training and research provided by the NW3C; and

WHEREAS, the NW3C and the FBI have partnered to address fraud over the internet through the Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC), receiving in excess of 20, 000 complaints in 6 months; and

WHEREAS, economic and high tech crimes are becoming a growing challenging for the enforcement agencies across the nation; and

WHEREAS, the NW3C represents a unique federal-state partnership wherein federal funds provide an ongoing critical infrastructure to enable state and local enforcement to address the multi state economic and high tech crimes;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives fully support and strongly encourages increased funding to the National White Collar Crime Center for its continued critical work in providing the investigative support, research, and training in the prevention, identification, and prosecution of economic high tech crimes.

Adopted August 1, 2001 at the 25th Annual Training Conference

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), represents over three thousand (3,000) members nationwide, primarily chief executive officers of law enforcement agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners; and

WHEREAS, NOBLE is dedicated to the timely and effective administration of justice in America; and

WHEREAS, NOBLE is further dedicated to supporting appropriate Federal legislation which seeks to improve the administration of justice; and

WHEREAS, Forensic Sciences are a key element in the timely and fair administration of justice; and

WHEREAS, in spite of overall reductions in reported crime, the criticality of Forensic Sciences in solving crimes and explaining death has resulted in significant increases in the demand for these services; and

WHEREAS, Forensic Sciences are instrumental in the successful prosecution of thousands of criminals each year as well as the exoneration of innocent suspects; and

WHEREAS, at least 90% of the nation's forensic science services are delivered at the state and local government levels; and

WHEREAS, due to significant under-funding, Forensic Science laboratories at the state and local level nationwide are experiencing major backlogs which severely threaten the timeliness of quality examinations critical to solving crimes and explaining death; and

WHEREAS, this under-funding also severely limits state and local Forensic Science laboratories' attempts to acquire the necessary advanced technology, recruit and train qualified scientists and upgrade facilities; and

WHEREAS, this under-funding also is a major barrier in attempts by state and local Forensic Science laboratories' efforts to ensure optimum quality by achieving professional accreditation; and

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives fully supports and strongly encourages the passage of the National Forensic Sciences Improvement Act (S.1196 and H.R. 2340) which will provide grants to existing state and local Forensic Science laboratories to improve productivity, quality measures, overall operation and achieve professional certification based on generally accepted forensic science performance standards, common definitions and protocols.

WHEREAS, the inability of state and local laboratories to keep pace with increased service demands and fully meet quality assurance requirements pose a substantial threat to the timely administration of justice,

Adopted July 28, 1999 During the 23rd Annual Training Conference and Exhibition in Portland, Oregon

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), represents over three thousand (3,000) members nationwide, primarily Chief executive officers of law enforcement agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners; and

WHEREAS, during NOBLE's 22nd Annual Conference, the membership adopted the resolution to support the proposed legislation under H.R.118; and

WHEREAS, the incidents of racial profiling continues to occur across the United States, thus necessitating similar legislation to be proposed seeking the gathering of statistics related to traffic stops, under H.R. 1443,

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives supports the components and passage of H.R.1443, requiring the Attorney General to conduct a study of vehicular stops by law enforcement officers for routine traffic violations and report the results to Congress.

Adopted July 28, 1999 During the 23rd Annual Training Conference and Exhibition in Portland, Oregon

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), represents over three thousand (3,000) members nationwide, primarily chief executive officers of law enforcement agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners; and

WHEREAS, community involvement is a collective effort amongst parents, students, churches, the professional community and others to find solutions to social issues such as juvenile violence; and

WHEREAS, there have been recent initiatives on the part of the present administration to curb juvenile violence; and

WHEREAS, parental responsibility correlates to accountability for the actions of their children in involvement in the educational process and supporting initiatives for a safe school environment,

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives encourages school boards, school superintendents and administrative officials to create partnerships and dialogues which implement comprehensive approaches in the areas of protection, parental responsibility, community involvement, and reducing access to firearms by juveniles and de-glamorizing violence through the media.

Adopted July 28, 1999 During the 23rd Annual Training Conference and Exhibition in Portland, Oregon

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), represents over three thousand (3,000) members nationwide, primarily chief executive officers of law enforcement agencies at federal, state, county, and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners; and

WHEREAS, Mitchell Ware is one of the founding members of NOBLE; and

WHEREAS, Mitchell Ware served many devoted years as Superintendent of the Illinois Bureau of Investigation and Deputy Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department; and

WHEREAS, Mitchell Ware served dutifully and with great expertise as NOBLE's General Counsel for 22 years; and

WHEREAS, Mitchell Ware formed what became and still is one of the largest predominantly minority owned law firms in the United States; and

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives holds Mitchell Ware in the highest esteem and fully supports Mitchell Ware in his newly appointed position as Illinois Supreme Court Judge, and thanks him for his many years of dedicated service.

Adopted July 20, 1998 During the 22nd Annual Training Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans, Louisiana

WHEREAS, The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) represents over three thousand (3,000) members nationwide, primarily chief executives officers of law enforcement agencies at federal, state, county, and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners; and

WHEREAS, the prevailing attitude in the United States on Affirmative Action is that Affirmative Action programs should be abolished; and

WHEREAS, that same attitude on Affirmative Action has penetrated national, state, legislative and judicial bodies; and

WHEREAS, there is recent evidence that prejudice and intolerance still exist at the highest corporate levels and that a systemic attack upon women and minority leaders in all segments of the public and private sectors is under way; and

WHEREAS, recently there has been an increase in the number of reported hate crimes; and

WHEREAS, it can be proven that through Affirmative Action the playing field of opportunity is leveled; and

WHEREAS, Affirmative Action programs are effective in diversifying criminal justice systems within the United States,

RESOLVED, that NOBLE will seek strategic alliances with other organizations to develop strategies to combat racism in local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies; and be it further

THEREFORE, be it resolved that NOBLE supports the President's efforts to expand opportunity and prepare America for the 21st Century by developing a strategy of opportunity for all; and be it further

RESOLVED, that NOBLE will oppose the total disbanding of the Affirmative Action process that provides a level playing field for minority and disenfranchised populations of this country; and be it further

RESOLVED, that NOBLE is committed to implementing and supporting programs and policies that will positively impact the root causes of crime and violence in our communities

Presented to the National body this 23rd day of July 1997 21st Annual Training Conference and Exhibition in Miami, Florida

WHEREAS, public safety is the highest priority of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives; and

WHEREAS, 911 emergency telephone services are now overwhelmed by non-emergency calls in many jurisdictions across the Nation; and

WHEREAS, this crisis has made it impossible for many law enforcement agencies to respond to emergencies in a timely manner; and

WHEREAS, it has been widely reported that the 911 crisis has endangered citizens and threatened public safety; and

WHEREAS, the ability to deliver Community Policing service has been impacted by the current 911 system.

THEREFORE, let it be resolved that the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives hereby:

Recommends that Congress and the US Department of Justice give priority consideration to the need for testing, demonstration and funding of advanced technology to address the 911 crisis and volume of non-emergency calls; and

Recommends that the telecommunications industry immediately develop a national telephone number for non-emergency purposes, thereby helping to relieve the burden on the nation's 911 system; and

Recommends that public safety promote advanced technology that improves the concept of Community Policing through the use of communications that encourage direct citizen-to-officer contact.

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) is concerned with the escalation of attacks on Affirmative Action; and

WHEREAS, the prevailing attitudes of the United States suggest that Affirmative Action should be abolished; and

WHEREAS, these same attitudes have penetrated the national, state, and local levels of the executive, legislative and judicial bodies; and

WHEREAS, it can be proven that through Affirmative Action, substantial numbers of women and minorities have benefited, resulting in the inclusion of all peoples positively impacting on the criminal justice system within the United States,

THEREFORE, be it resolved that NOBLE stands firmly against the total dismantling of the Affirmative Action process that has provided a level playing field for the minorities and disenfranchised populations of this country; and be it further

RESOLVED, that NOBLE is committed to supporting programs policies that will positively impact the root causes of crime and violence in this country's communities.

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) supports the Crime Bill of 1994 containing a provision on assault weapons; and

WHEREAS, NOBLE has not wavered in its support for a continuous ban on prohibited assault weapons and high capacity magazines; and

WHEREAS, between 1985 and 1995 more than 61 law enforcement officers have been killed or injured through the use of these weapons,

THEREFORE, be it resolved that NOBLE continues to support the ban on assault weapons that continue to find their way into communities across this country, and be it further

RESOLVED, that NOBLE will continue to work to eliminate the use of assault weapons which are devastatingly contributing to the genocide of our youth.

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) has been in the forefront of training and proactive model policy development on Domestic Violence. In this regard, NOBLE has trained over 5,000 law enforcement officers and executives on Domestic Violence policy development; and

WHEREAS, when compared to children raised in non-abusive homes, children who have witnessed abuse, or who have been abused themselves are more likely to abuse a spouse or a child when they themselves become adults; and

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, reported in January, 1994, one of every 185 women (a total of 572,032) is a victim of domestic abuse every year; and

WHEREAS, battering is the single major cause of injury to women - more frequent than auto accidents, mugging and rapes combined; and

WHEREAS, 20% of all murders in the country are committed within the family and 13% are committed by spouses; 95% of which are assaults by men; and

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives believes the law enforcement community, Prosecutor's office and judicial system working harmoniously can and must do more to prevent, and reduce the cycle of violence that starts in the home. Every police officer has had the unfortunate experience of seeing the despair, pain and the horror on the faces of children as they witness their parents in conflict,

THEREFORE, be it resolved, that it is NOBLE's goal to help find the most appropriate policing techniques and coordinate our efforts with other law enforcement agencies and advocacy groups to reduce the cycle of family violence, NOBLE calls on all law enforcement associations, organizations and agencies to:

a. Endorse legislation in those states that currently do not have mandated arrest laws for violation of protective orders, such as restraining orders and pro-arrest policies for family violence;

b. Mandate written reports for all domestic violence calls;

c. Mandate a minimum of eight (8) hours entry level domestic violence training and four (4) hours in-service training for all police officers;

d. Ensure that each victim receives referral materials with respect to counseling, advocacy group information and other intervention options to include local laws and their procedures;

e. Ensure all police agencies develop a comprehensive domestic violence policy that includes a through d ; and

f. urge full funding and passage of the "Violence Against Women Act" included in the crime bill

Be it further Resolved that NOBLE establishes herein, "The Domestic Violence Policy Committee," whose role on a continuing basis will be to review current policies, programs, research and police responses to recommend state of the art changes and training improvements. The results of this committee's review and recommendations will give criminal justice professionals a comprehensive agenda suggesting legislation and outlining methods to improve society's response to domestic violence.

July 17, 1994

WHEREAS, The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), is an organization representing in excess of 2,700 active Chiefs of Police, law enforcement administrators and police executives representing federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies; and

WHEREAS, since 1995 there have been in excess of 65 predominantly African American suspicious church fires which have occurred in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington; and

WHEREAS, in excess of 1000 federal, state and local law enforcement officers are actively involved in the investigation of this rampant rage of desecration being consummated on predominantly African American houses of worship,

THEREFORE, be it resolved that NOBLE, a body of experienced law enforcement professionals, does hereby state its disdain for these cowardly acts and pledge our full support through our vast network in identifying and prosecuting those individuals and/or entities responsible, to the fullest extent of the law.

Presented to the National body this 24th day of June 1996
20th Annual Training Conference and Exhibition in Detroit, Michigan

WHEREAS, NOBLE members have vehemently opposed the liberalization of Carrying of Concealed Weapons (CCW) laws in California, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and other states; and

WHEREAS, the carrying of concealed weapons poses a serious threat to the safety of all citizens and especially to law enforcement officers sworn to protect and to serve the public; and

WHEREAS, the training required of average citizens in CCW laws is minimal or nonexistent; and

WHEREAS, fourteen "shall issue" states require no safety training or education in the use of deadly force; and

WHEREAS, crimes committed in twenty-one states, including Massachusetts, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi, are not reported to the national crime reporting system, and in most cases, unless the applicant has been convicted of a felony, they cannot be turned down for a license; and

WHEREAS, a young black male is eleven times more likely to be murdered than a young white male; and

WHEREAS, at a time when concerns are increasing about juvenile violence in our country, it is unconscionable to institute a public policy which promotes juvenile interest in and access to firearms; and

WHEREAS, a March 1995 study by criminologists at the University of Maryland examined the effects of the weakening of CCW laws in three states, including Florida, and concluded that gun homicides increased by an average of 26%, while homicides by other means did not increase,

THEREFORE, be it resolved that NOBLE, a body of experienced law enforcement professionals, does hereby state our strongest opposition to the liberalization of CCW laws and urges all members, enlightened citizens, community leaders and elected officials to lend their voices to the immediate defeat of any and all pending or future state legislation that attempts to weaken CCW laws.

Presented to the National body this 24th day of June 1996
20th Annual Training Conference and Exhibition