A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR
First and foremost, I wish to thank the members of our Board of Directors for their trust, faith and confidence in allowing me the privilege to again serve as chair of this great association.
In my 45-some odd years as an active serving law enforcement officer, and a founding member of NABLEO, I have observed a disturbing misconception by some, that policing solely revolves around our enforcement duties, and that we must be ever watchful of those we come in contact with, believing there to be an expansive level of criminality in their attitudes and actions.
I have found, however, that those concepts are emphatically incorrect and indeed absolutely unsubstantiated. The truly successful law enforcement officer knows and understands that, for our profession to properly function, law enforcement must fully accept and recognize that they are dependent upon the consent of those who are governed. Trust between the police and those they serve is essential and necessary, indeed required, for law enforcement to be considered legitimate. And when that trust erodes, it must be accepted and readily acknowledged that law enforcement has failed in its mission to keep the community safe.
For all who serve and protect, we must constantly be aware of our responsibilities to those communities, recognizing that all members of the community, regardless of their human failures, attitudes and perceptions of our profession, deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. We must continue to be firm, strongly vocal and committed in our efforts to rid our profession of all those who bring dishonor and disdain upon it. And I believe that, as your chairperson, it is my responsibility to actively and continuously speak out on behalf of this association, those of us in this profession, and the communities we have sworn to serve and protect, as it is to them that we truly owe our allegiance, and not the institutions we are employed by or the administrations that guide them.
As your chairman, I intend to ensure that NABLEO continues to serve as an invaluable tool for its members, our profession, our community, and all those interested in supporting the pursuit of fair, honest and accountable policing. And have no doubts. I will continue to speak firmly, loudly, and boldly on those issues that are of specific concern to us as professionals and the communities that we serve, whenever needful and necessary.
Again, I thank the Board and our membership for your support. You may rest assured that I will faithfully attend to the needs of this body, our professional standing, and the communities which we serve.
Charles Wilson
National Chairman
