Law enforcement officials representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities held their 12th Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities Law Enforcement Executives Association (HBCU-LEEA) conference in New Orleans July 12-15, 2011. The conference theme: “Addressing Public Safety and Emergency Management on Historically Black Colleges and Universities—If not US—then who?” allowed attendees to address issues impacting their various campuses including crime prevention and enforcement. Xavier and Dillard University hosted the three day conference. Under the leadership of Miami-Dade College Police Chief Therese Homer, who currently serves as president of the national organization, attendees also spoke to approximately 75 youths ranging in age from 5 to 17 years old about crime prevention and empowerment principles. Noted speakers included Former New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Warren Riley; General Manager and Vice President Glenn Rosenberg of Allied Barton Security Company; Chief David Perry, Director of the Southeast Region for International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Association (IACLEA) and Chief of Police for Florida State University; and Chief Cheryl Cason of the Opa-Locka Police Department. The Opening Panel discussion was facilitated by Meldon Hollis, Esq. Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges & Universities. Additionally, Mr. Phillip Moore, Training Specialist from FEMA, the United States Department of Homeland Security, facilitated an Emergency Management Tabletop Exercise. The tabletop experience was designed to simulate a real life incident which could happen at any campus. Attorney Kionne McGhee, general counsel for the organization also addressed members during their annual business meeting.

The 2010 Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Many private organizations were eager to support campus safety and security as was evident with the presence of Thursgood Marshall College Fund, United Negro College Fund, the White House Initiative on HBCUs, the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO and the National Association of Student Affairs Administrators (NASPA) .The relationship and partnerships developed with federal and private organizations contributed to the success of this year’s training conference.

The 2009 Conference in Miami, Florida was hosted by Miami DadeCollege and Florida Memorial College. For the first time the HBCU Chiefs awarded two scholarships. The scholarships were awarded to two African American Criminal Justice students with a 2.5 – 2.0 GPA. One $1,000 scholarship was awarded to a Florida Memorial Student and one $500.00 Book Scholarship was awarded to a Miami Dade College student from donations received from local county commissioners. Proclamations were presented to the organization by the City of Miami Manny Diaz, State Representative Oscar Braynon Jr. and Congressman Kendrick Meeks. Director Robert Parker, from Miami Dade Police Department, was the keynote speaker at the Pelco Luncheon. Training topics included Emergency Notifications Systems through Text Messaging, Incident Management and Rapid Deployment to Campuses and Jeanne Clery Compliance and updates.

The 2008 Conference in Atlanta Georgia marked the end of a 2-year consecutive term for Chief Vernon Worthy as President of the HBCU-LEEA. The Atlanta Conference focused mainly on the Jeanne Clery Act, federal training, building Vendor support and culminated with an invitation to the 2008 White House Initiative on HBCUs.

The 2007 Conference hosted in California by PELCO’s CEO Mr. David McDonald was unprecedented in the history of the HBCU. It was an all expense paid Event for the 58 attendees. Mr. Steve Nibbelink the PELCO Contact is a staunch supporter of the Organization and the 2007 Conference had a tremendous impact on the Organization. Again, we express our thanks.

The conference moved to Durham, North Carolina at the Millennium Hotel. The training was centered around Dignitary Protection, Gangs in Institutions, as well as the Clery Updates (from Steve Healy). Vernon Worthy and Steve Healy discussed and saw the need for cross involvement between the HBCU, IACLEA, and state organizations. Also, in 2006, HBCU President Vernon Worthy met with the representatives of Pelco and visited their campus in Clovis, California – where he got the opportunity to see their technology and manufacturing process from start to finish – along with the chance to witness the Pelco Philosophy. He also had the honor to meet Pelco President and CEO, Mr. David McDonald. Pelco extended a generous offer – to host the entire HBCU 113 member schools for the 2007 Annual Conference and President Worthy accepted.

The 2005 Conference marked a return to Atlanta Georgia where the HBCU originated. Hosted by one of the founding members, Chief Vernon Worthy, the Organization was incorporated that year. The major Sponsors for the 2005 HBCU-LEEA Conference were ADT and Honeywell. In addition to training activities, the attendees experienced various tours and spousal events, including, local HBCU tours and the renowned Atlanta Apparel Mart.

The conference was held in Virginia and led by President Crosby. The conference was even more effective than the last, with an expanded training agenda, including such areas as Adversity Training, Hate Crimes, and the value and effectiveness of Police versus Security Departments. A training legacy was established with Clery Act expert Steve Healy, the Chief of Police at Princeton University. This constant utilization of his expertise has provided the HBCU participants with a comprehensive grasp of this subject and has minimized our problems in reporting to the Department of Education.

President Crosby hosted the conference in Norfolk, VA – at the Marriott Waterside Hotel. The issues and training presented were centered around ID Theft, the Clery Act updates, Bomb Threats, HAZMAT, and other critical issues on campuses. President Crosby set up an opportunity for chiefs to talk about some of the issues that were germane to HBCU Chiefs, such as low pay, police departments versus security departments, interference from administrators on criminal cases, low budgets, lack of serious concern when budget allocation occurs, and lack of priority in resources from departments.

The organization welcomed a new President – Leroy Crosby, Chief of Police at Hampton University. The now annual conference moved to the Marriott Waterside Hotel in Norfolk. The HBCU-LEEA began to solidify, training in subjects such as the Jeanne Clery Act, Campus Diversity, Hate Crimes and other topics were discussed.

The group began to gain support in 2001, and added new members. Chief White organized our second conference, in Atlanta, at the Ramada Renaissance Hotel. In addition to conduction a conference, the group also provided training centered around current issues and topics of interest.

The HBCU-LEEA was an idea tossed around in Atlanta for years. A meeting was held at the Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta, in the summer of 1999, to discuss issues germane to HBCU institutions. The group formalized and elected A.J. White to the office of President. In 2000, Chief White (Clark Atlanta University) organized the first formal meeting to establish the organization of Police Chiefs and Security Directors from HBCU institutions around the country. As members of our own state campus law enforcement/ security groups, we all clearly saw the need to meet and share information on issues that were of interest to those of us who serve HBCU institutions. The HBCU-LEEA was then born!