On Saturday, May 12, approximately 100 members and friends joined the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Central Virginia Chapter (CVC) to celebrate with the recipients of its 2007 CVC awards.   The Awards Breakfast was held at the Holiday Inn Koger South Conference Center.   Well-known instrumentalist Ricky Elliott of Petersburg, VA, provided soft musical selections during the meal.

Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, D-VA

The Honorable Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, Congressman, 3^rd District of Virginia, was the keynote speaker.   Congressman Scott addressed laws that have been passed and those pending that impact law enforcement and the general public.   He spoke on the importance of educating oneself on the laws and their potential long-term impact on not only the public but law enforcement as well.

Individuals and organizations throughout the Central Virginia area were nominated by their peers for their outstanding achievements in the criminal justice arena and community service.   

Arlington County Sheriff's Sergeant Wanda Younger of the Northern VA Chapter receives thye Criminal Justice Achievement Award.

This year, the NOBLE, Central Virginia Chapter presented its “Criminal Justice Achievement” award to Sergeant Wanda Younger of the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office.   Sergeant Younger is the Day Shift Supervisor, assigned to the Arlington County Detention Facility.   Since being sworn as a Deputy Sheriff in 1991, she has accomplished much in the Sheriff’s Office, including serving as the Field Training Officer Supervisor, coordinating all training for staff on her shift.   Sergeant Younger is a member of the Jail Evacuation Team, which prepares the Sheriff’s Office for catastrophic events that may occur, such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina., and is a member and coordinator for the Incarcerated Mothers Program, which allows incarcerated mothers to have contact visits with their children.   Sergeant Younger is also involved in developing the new supervisors training curriculum for newly promoted sergeants.

Lt. Charlene Hinton and officer from the Recruiting Unit accept the Community Achievement Award.

The Richmond Police Department’s Personnel and Recruitment Unit is this year’s recipient of the “Community Achievement Award.”  In answer to a challenge from Chief Rodney Monroe to aggressively bring more diversity into the Department, the Recruitment Unit, under the leadership of Lieutenant Charlene Hinton, set a goal to not only reduce the near 100 officer vacancies but to also increase the diversity of the applicants.   The Unit developed a plan to recruit and investigate more than 200 applicants per academy class.   A strategic plan was developed that included recruitment and testing at historcally Black colleges and universities, as well as utilizing the influence of radio and television.   The recruiters also visited several community events and developed partnerships with community leaders and organizations.   Since January 2006, the Personnel and Recruitment Unit has tested nearly 1,000 applicants, conducted more than 400 background investigations, and hired 128 police recruits.   Of the 128 police recruits hired, 46% are minorities.

The Chapter’s “Outstanding Member Award” was presented to Ms. Jessie W. Fleming for her inspiration to others.  Until recently, Ms. Fleming served as the Chapter’s financial secretary, ensuring that the chapter remained in fiscal compliance with the IRS and the National NOBLE office.   In spite of recent health issues, she has constantly worked on projects for NOBLE.   She served as the Chapter’s Financial Secretary from 1998-2007.   Ms. Fleming coordinates the Chapter’s Community Forums, featuring “The Law & You,” and assists with the coordination of its training initiatives and other special projects.   Since joining the Chapter, she has served on the Membership, Ways and Means, and Training and Education Committees.   She served as the 1997-98 Treasurer for Region II and also served on its Training Committee.   On the National level, she served on the National Finance Committee from 1998-2001 and the 1999-2001 Civil Rights Committee.   She served as the Administrative Assistant to the 2001-2002 and 2003-2004 National Presidents.   Currently, she serves on the National Civil Rights Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee.   She also serves as the Administrative Assistant to the current (2006-2007) National President.

(L-R) VA State Police Captain Lemuel Terry receives the Presidential Award from President John Dixon.

This year, the “Presidential Award” was presented to Captain Lenmuel S. Terry, Director of the Training Academy, Virginia Department of State Police.   The award was presented for his "dedication and commitment to the Chapter and for extraordinary support of CVC programs."

Since its inception in 1994, the Central Virginia Chapter (CVC) has achieved numerous accomplishments through training, workshops, and community initiatives.   The chapter’s membership is comprised of individuals representing criminal justice agencies, including state and local police departments, sheriff’s offices, university police departments, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local and state agencies in support of NOBLE’s mission, throughout Brunswick County, Charlottesville, Chesterfield County, Fluvanna County, Henrico County, Louisa County, Petersburg, and Richmond.