(Alexandria, Va.) – With an eye on building upon past successes and establishing innovative new initiatives, Patrick R. Melvin, assistant city manager and former chief of police and public safety director in Maricopa, Ariz., assumed the duties of national president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.

 

Melvin, who served as national first vice president, was installed in his new position during  NOBLE’s 34th Annual Training Conference and Exhibition held in Baltimore, July 10-14. Saying he is “humbled and grateful for the honor” and looking forward to leading such a “prestigious and influential organization of professionals,”

 

Melvin promised to follow the lead of Ernest Green, immediate past president and Joseph McMillan, past president.

“They both had an extreme interest in offender re-entry programming, and NOBLE playing a part of that. That is going to continue,” said Melvin. In addition, he said NOBLE’s outstanding youth initiatives will remain a high priority.

Melvin said as president he plans to focus on three new areas of concentration – two dealing with safety and the third aimed at enhancing the orgnaizaton’s financial health.

“I want to encourage seatbelt usage nationally for the communities we serve, our law enforcement colleagues, family members and friends,” said Melvin a former motorcycle officer who witnessed first-hand the results of not buckling-up. “(We) will provide recommendations for policy initiatives aimed at avoiding injuries and deaths related to non-seatbelt usage.”

The other area of safety concern has to do with the use of body armor. Melvin noted that less than “60 percent of the heads of agencies require their personnel to wear life-saving protection while working.” He said NOBLE will push agency heads to require their officers and agents to utilize body armor.

While NOBLE has been making financial strides, Melvin said he is “going for the gusto” and will challenge chapters to significantly increase membership and fundraising. He said an emphasis will be placed on the “Each One Reach One” membership initiative.

“If each NOBLE member and associate reached out successfully to just one person that would erase the debt,” Melvin said.

“I consider myself a serious NOBLE recruiter,” he continued, noting he was “hooked” after attending his first NOBLE convention in 1999.

Melvin said the training, education along with the networking opportunities resulting from his NOBLE membership have been invaluable.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for NOBLE.”