"To increase the awareness of the community, to be the conscience of the Criminal Justice System, and to enhance the quality of life of the African-American community."

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HISTORY

 

The National Black Police Association (NBPA) is a national organization comprised of sub-regional African American Police Associations, dedicated to promoting justice, fairness, and effectiveness in law enforcement. The NBPA has several chartered organizations throughout the United States and has associate members abroad, in Canada, Bermuda, and the United Kingdom. The core focus of NBPA centers upon Law Enforcement issues, with a strong emphasis on the effects of these issues on the African-American community. The NBPA serves as an advocate forum for minority police officers and establishes a national network of professional development and training for all police officers and those parties interested in law enforcement.

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In November 1972, the NBPA was chartered as a not-for-profit corporation in the state of Illinois, following a historic meeting in St. Louis, Missouri. There were 13 African-American Peace Associations present at the meeting, with representatives from the host city as well as: New York City and Buffalo, New York; Flint and Detroit, Michigan; Richmond, Virgina; San Francisco and Los Angeles, California; Cincinnati, Akron, Dayton, and Cleveland, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; New Orleans, Louisiana; Baltimore, Maryland; Newark, New Jersey; Bridgeport, Connecticut; Louisville, Kentucky; and Denver, Colorado.

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The NBPA is currently established in three regions throughout the United States--Region 1, Region 2 and Region 3.  Each of these regions operates out of their designated regional office. Each region is made up of several individual chapters, aligned geographically by State, and each region elects a President and regional board that represents Black police associations in their respective regions.  

The NBPA is governed by a National Board of Directors. The formulation of policy and operations of the NBPA is the sole responsibility of the Board of Directors.  The organization maintains and operates a National Office in Dallas, Texas, where nationally funded projects and NBPA programs are formulated, coordinated and monitored, and where the administrative arm of the National Board of Directors is housed.

 

The NBPA hosts an Annual Education and Training Conference for its members and others interested in law enforcement. The conference is designed to provide workshops, discussion groups, and the dissemination of pertinent information to those who attend, and is nationally recognized for the quality and the diversity of its conference workshops and programs.  The conference also provides an opportunity for officers and those interested in law enforcement, to network with law enforcement personnel and affiliates from across the country and around the world.