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Recognizing and honoring the Guardian Civic League for its sixty years of service to police officers and its commitment to fostering relationships with law enforcement officers and the communities they protect and serve.
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WHEREAS, The Guardian Civic League, the local chapter of The National Black Police Association, was founded in 1956, with the mission of fostering relationships with members of the Philadelphia Police Department and the communities in which they serve; and
WHEREAS, The Guardian Civic League’s founder and first president was Police Officer Alphonso Deal. Past presidents of the organization include Harold Arnold, James Holley, Harold James, John Green, Jimmy Ghee, Ronald Oliver, William E. Blackman, David E. Fisher, WM. Don Rodgers, James Walker, Jr., Willie L. Williams, III, and Kathryn D. McNeill-Battle. The organization’s current president, Rochelle Bilal, is the second and longest standing female president since the organization’s existence; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, The Guardian Civic League has spoken out on many important matters that affect the lives of all Philadelphians, as well as accomplished several significant milestones. In 1972, the Guardian Civic League and twelve other black police organizations from around the country met in St. Louis, Missouri, and formed the National Black Police Association. The National Black Police Association has grown to have a membership in excess of 30,000 police officers. In 2010, the Guardian Civic League hosted the Eastern Region Conference of the National Black Police Association in Philadelphia. In 2012, the Guardian Civic League also hosted the National Conference for the National Black Police Association; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, The Guardian Civic League has developed and implemented various programs throughout the City, which are today benefiting most Philadelphians. Some of these efforts have included the creation of summer enrichment programs, which developed jobs for youths in the community, as well as the “Steer Straight Program,” which teaches new recruits critical skills for maintaining a positive career as a police officer. The organization also hosts the “Lauretha Vaird Basketball Tournament,” in honor of the first African-American female Philadelphia police officer killed in the line of duty, as well as an annual “Family and Friends Cookout,” where book bags and school supplies are provided to students returning to school; and
WHEREAS, The Guardian Civic League has shown its continued dedication to improving the moral, civic and social well being of the community by ensuring accountability of police officers and community members, upward mobility for law enforcement officers, and fair and equal treatment for all; now, therefore, be it,
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and honors the Guardian Civic League for its sixty years of service to police officers and its commitment to fostering relationships with law enforcement officers and the communities they protect and serve.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Guardian Civic League of Philadelphia, further evidencing the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body.
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