By JoAnn Fields
San Diego, CA: The San Diego Chapter of the National Black Police Association (NBPA) hosted the 2014 NBPA Western Region Spring Educational Training Conference at the Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley on April 23-26, 2014. One of the highlights of the conference was hearing Pastor Troy Owens keynote the NBPA’s Community Prayer Breakfast on Friday, April 25th. He addressed the topic of “Dealing with Racial Issues in a Post-Racial America” before hundreds of police officers, community leaders and clergy. Pastor Owens a 22-year veteran police officer with the San Diego Police Department and is also the founding Pastor of New Life Baptist Church in Spring Valley for 17 years.
Upon entering the prayer breakfast attendees were welcomed with the harmonic tunes and live band of notable local Gospel group Men 4 Christ. Tayari Howard the Master of Ceremonies opened the prayer breakfast and celebrated his 7000th guest appearance in the City of San Diego. Tayari has documented and logged more than 100,000 community service hours since 1981 for the City of San Diego. He supports the San Diego Chapter of NBPA and the NBPA by tending to the press and media needs of the organization. Tayari later received the NBPA Lifetime Achievement Award and a San Diego Black Police Officers Association’s Honorary NBPA membership.
Opening remarks were delivered by SDBPOA President Ben Kelso and Vice-President Bryan Pendelton. The Black National Anthem was leader by past NBPA Chairperson John Hayes and was followed by Pastor Bryon Barmer for the Invocation. SDPD Southeastern Division Captain Tony McElroy acknowledged the VIPs in attendance and led the presentation of community awards with Pres. Kelso and VP Pendelton.
SDBPOA gave special recognition to leaders in the community who have supported their organization’s mission over the years. Community Awards were given to New Creation Church of San Diego Pastor Reginald Gary; Lei-Chala Wilson, President, NAACP-San Diego Chapter; Founding members Sgt. Jimmie McCaskill, 1st Vice-President, African American Police Officers Association; Oscar Johnson 1st President, AAPOA award was received by his daughter Lisa Johnson-Wilson and SDPD Veteran Dick Lewis.
“We are honored to be able to present these awards to pillars in our community. I am especially pleased that were able to recognize founding members Sgt. Jimmie McCaskill and Oscar Johnson. These gentlemen left a legacy of beginning the San Diego African American Police Officers Association in 1974 which has now evolved in becoming the San Diego Black Police Officers Association. I was surprised to learn that this is the first time that Sgt. Jimmie McCaskill has received an award after decades of service in our community. I believe his acceptance moved everyone in the room.
I am also pleased to share that we drew members from the throughout the Western Region that include Nevada, Washington, Oregon and California. We also drew members as far as Dallas and Philadelphia. Our membership continues to grow and I look forward to working with our local BPOA more involved in the community and welcome members of the community to join us in the near future,” states President Ben Kelso.
“I really appreciate the opportunity to present an award to Dick Lewis. He is one of the greatest persons I have ever met. He has a heart of gold and is so giving of himself whether it was during his time serving in the military, San Diego Police Department or with the San Diego Chargers. He is an SDPD veteran of over 30 years but his dedication to serve the homeless every Thursday for the past 15 years with the support of San Diego Chargers owner Dean Spanos has exceeded the meaning of community service. Dick Lewis has changed thousands of lives. Along with feeding the homeless on Thursdays he also mentors young men who are court ordered into drug and alcohol rehab and adult males who are transitioning back into society. Dick is a role model for many including me. I am thankful we were able to publicly recognize the great work he has done in San Diego. We truly blessed to have him,” shares Vice-President Bryan Pendelton.
Following the community awards presentation, the SDBPOA presented a $500 check to a deserving young student leader from the San Diego School of Performing Arts and the famous Thunder Squad Drumline, Jordan Humphries. The $500 will go towards Jordan’s tuition to attend the Berklee College of Music’s 5 week Summer Performance Program in Boston Massachuttes. Jordan, “I am thankful for the opportunity to receive this check from the SDBPOA. This definitely helps me to pursue my dreams to go college and learn music. I have been playing the drums since I was about 4 years old. I was always tempted to play the drums at church but was told I was too young. Now that I am of age, I have a good chance to enter the college of my choice and play drums. I am also thankful for Ms. “T” – Tyra Hawthorne the founder of the Thunder Squad Drumline who encouraged me to reach my goals and exercise my leadership skills. The support that I am receiving from the community is a blessing. I am very thankful. I will strive to make everyone proud.”
To obtain information regarding membership and activities of the San Diego Black Police Officers Association, please contact President Ben Kelso via email at [email protected] via mail at PO Box 532432, San Diego, Ca 92153-2432 or phone at (619) 533-3560. You can also find them on Facebook.com/SDPOA.
The mission of the NBPA is “To increase the awareness of the community, to be the conscience of the Criminal Justice System and to enhance the quality of life in the African American Community.”
