Pamela A. Smith is now the first African-American woman to be US Park Police chief

Pamela A. Smith, a 23-year veteran of the United States Park Police (USPP), is the first African American woman to lead the 230-year-old agency.

During her decorated law enforcement career, Smith has served as a patrol officer, field training officer, canine handler, academy instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, executive lieutenant to the chief of police, assistant commander of the San Francisco Field Office, commander of the New York Field Office, acting deputy chief of the Homeland Security Division, and deputy chief for the Field Operations Division. She was also the first woman to lead the New York Field Office as its Major.

Smith has received many awards and honors, including the Women in Federal Law Enforcement Public Service Award, United States Marshal Service Distinguished Law Enforcement Career and the National Park Service Equal Employment Opportunity Program Recognition of Outstanding Excellence. In many of her leadership roles, on and off the Force, Smith serves as a mentor and an advocate for personal and professional development. She is an active member of her church, has volunteered as a youth mentor and has coached youth sports.Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Session 265) and a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and International Association of Chiefs of Police. She is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

Rodney Harrison selected to be next NYPD Chief

NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan announced his retirement Thursday to take on a public safety advisory role as the city looks to recover from the COVID crisis. Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison was selected to take over the Chief of Department position.

"[Harrison] makes that uniform proud...and he is going to make this city proud," Monahan said. "Rodney, you couldn't be a better person for this job. With Rodney taking the helm and Commissioner [Dermot] Shea at the helm the NYPD couldn't be in any better hands."

Harrison is a Queens native and the first Black man to serve as the NYPD's Chief of Detectives.

Harrison said that he wants to continue focusing on community policing, "which is absolutely what this city needs."

"For the men and women of this police department, I want to make sure I make this very clear, I'm going to support you, I want to make sure we get through what was a very difficult time in 2020, but I can reassure everyone here that is listening that I have your back and we will get through this together," Harrison said.

"For the residents of New York City, I'm here to protect you. I'm here to serve you," Harrison went on to say. "I'm going to be knocking on your door, I'm going to be coming to your churches, I'm going to be coming to your community meetings. You may get tired of seeing me, but in order for me to be successful, in order to make this city safe, we have to work together. I'm looking forward to the challenge."

[SOURCE: NBC NEW YORK]

VP Kamala Harris meets with Congressional Black Caucus for first time

Vice President Harris held her first meeting with members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in her ceremonial office this week.

The caucus tweeted a photo of Harris, an alum of the caucus, seated at a table in the office on Wednesday with Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), chair of the caucus, along with Reps. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) and Nikema Williams (D-Ga.).

The caucus, which was founded in 1971, has 58 members in the current Congress, a record high for the group.

The group is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and recently unveiled an "100 Day Plan" that details the some of its legislative priorities for the first few months of Biden presidency.

Those priorities include the creation of an internal domestic policy leadership team that Beatty spearhead with other members, as well as passing legislation like the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Milwaukee Fire Department's Sharon Purifoy makes history as first African-American female Deputy Chief

The promotion of Sharon Purifoy signals change in the Milwaukee Fire Department. For the first time in its history, Milwaukee has an African-American female deputy chief.

School District Is First In New Jersey To Require Students To Take African American History To Graduate

The Cherry Hill School District is now the first in New Jersey to require students to take African American history in order to graduate. The school board approved the move Tuesday night.

Students had lobbied for the course to become mandatory. The charge was led by seventh-grader Ebele Azikiwe, of Beck Middle School. Watch the full story beow.