NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF BLACK LAW ENFORCEMENT EXECUTIVES (NOBLE) (PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER)

Philadelphia Police Department Staff Inspector Deborah Francis has had a distinguished 29-year career in the department and she is described as a “transformational leader who is dedicated to being a change agent.” She is a 22-year member of the Guardian Civic League and she will soon begin serving her second term as the President of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).

Francis says she became involved with NOBLE because of its mission: “to ensure equity in the administration of justice in the provision of public service to all communities, and to serve as the conscience of law enforcement by being committed to justice by action.”

She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University, a Master's Degree of Science in Criminal Justice from Walden University and she is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

A mother of six and a grandmother to four grandchildren, Francis remains dedicated to improving her community. She is the creator and facilitator of “Blue Table Talk,” which is co-sponsored by NOBLE's local chapter. It is designed to facilitate conversation between police officers and members of the community as a means of developing trust. It also helps address the needs of the “Blue” community via mentoring and networking opportunities. Francis also highlights the work that NOBLE does to educate children on bike and internet safety, which she explains, has been one of her most gratifying elements of her work with NOBLE.

Stressing that the organization works very hard to provide the community with greater transparency and a better understanding of law enforcement, Staff Inspector Francis notes that you don't have to be in law enforcement to join the organization. “I encourage you to come out to some of our events to see what we are about because information is empowering. And, that's what we are all about.”