By: Jasmine Saunders, Editor-in-Chief
NOBLE, (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives) is an organization that is dedicated to the success of minorities in criminal justice.
Delaware State University’s collegiate chapter is actually the first of its kind, starting in 2007.
NOBLE “helps students break idealized notions of what [the] job entails,” said Dr. Kylie Parrotta, the chapter advisor. What is shown on television is not an accurate depiction of what it’s like daily, she continued.
Currently, NOBLE has two co-presidents: Morgan Johnson and Xavier Hurt.
Johnson stepped up because she “like[s] the opportunity [it] gives to students,” and she wished to keep those opportunities available for students.
As for Hurt, he wanted to “help others behind [him].” He has an interesting relationship with the organization, first being Mister NOBLE in his freshman year, and then being the corresponding secretary the following year.
NOBLE does a lot to keep members engaged.
One of the activities the chapter does is called “NOBLE Fit.” It’s Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 a.m. where members can come for a workout that is derived from the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) fitness test.
“[Even] if you want to be an attorney [or] a prosecutor you still have to be healthy,” said Marcus Smith, the former chapter president.
Exercises include push-ups, pull-ups, a mile-and-half run, sit-ups and sprints which are all done in a half hour to accommodate members’ schedules.
The collegiate chapter provides other opportunities by partnering with law enforcement in the local Delaware community. New Castle County Police Department, Wilmington Police Dept. and Delaware State Police (DSP) held a mock police academy at the DSP headquarters in April where students could experience what it was like in an actual academy. Tasks such as meeting the minimum physical fitness requirement, shooting and driving simulations, as well as participating in a mock crime scene investigation, are just a few of the things a member could partake in.
This trip provided students first-hand insight into the vast criminal justice field from aviation to maritime careers.
“There’s a multitude of ways to serve the community through a law enforcement career,” said Timothy Martin, Jr., the recording secretary.
Every year, the general NOBLE organization holds a training conference where law enforcement on every level and students can attend and network.
One student who attended the event took a lot from the experience.
“This conference has helped me introduce myself and speak more confidently about what I want to do in life,” said member Jade Moore.
DSU’s NOBLE chapter is “definitely on the incline,” said Martin, Jr. “There’s no telling what [will happen] next semester, next year [and] the year after that.”
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