• The promotion of Justice, Fairness and Effectiveness is Law Enforcement and the legality of action taken.

• To establish and maintain positive relations between the police and the community.

• To educate police officers so that we perform with professionalism, pride and sensitivity.

• To aid in the enlistment of qualified African Americans into the Law Enforcement profession.

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History of Vanguard Justice Society, Inc.

The Vanguard Justice Society, Inc. was formed in October, 1971 as a non-profit organization consisting of Black members of the Criminal Justice System of Baltimore and the State of Maryland. Lawrence "Larry" Clark, then a Baltimore City Police Officer, was the founder and the first President of the organization. In its infancy, the organization held two Wednesdays a month to coincide with departmental pay days. Membership dues were collected at these meetings and thus a treasury and a tradition were established.

The early founders saw the organization's purpose as a mechanism to:

•  Create unity and promote understanding, friendship and cooperation among all members of the Criminal Justice System of Baltimore and the State of Maryland;

•  Promote various types of athletics, sports, social and cultural affairs with community involvement to the end that the physical and mental stature of its members might be improved;

•  Cooperate with national and local organizations in programs of education in order to help reduce loss of life and property due to criminality. Vanguard encouraged its members to familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations of the Baltimore Police Department so they may be better able to serve the citizens of the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland. In 1972, still under President Clark's administration, the Vanguard Justice Society, Inc. became a chartered member of the newly formed National Black Police Association (NBPA).

Melvin Freeman became President in 1973. In that year, he and Earl Nesbit filed a class action suit against the City, State and Baltimore Police Department for discriminatory practices in height requirement, promotions and hiring of African Americans and other minorities. The suit was argued in U.S. Federal Court for five (5) years. The 1978 ruling in favor of Vanguard resulted in the following court ordered action:

•  52 African American officers were promoted to Sergeant
•  Four African American Sergeants were promoted to Lieutenant
•  One white female Sergeant was promoted to Lieutenant
•  Two white female officers were promoted to Sergeant
•  Nineteen individuals (primarily females) previously denied employment received monetary awards.

Historically, the Baltimore Police Department rejected 98% of all female applicants seeking employment as police officers. The average height of most female applicants was below the established height requirements. In 1978, this discriminatory practice came to an end when Vanguard won the class action suit.

The organization was entrusted to the leadership of Howard Gittings in 1975. He continued the programs and built upon the foundation begun by the past presidents.

Under the leadership of Earl Nesbit, membership dues became payroll deductible. Eugene Tanzymore became President in 1980. During his administration, the organization was voted Outstanding Chapter in Region II. In the spring of 1982, Vanguard hosted it's first NBPA Regional Conference.

In June, 1982, Wendell France became the sixth President of Vanguard. As with past Presidents, Pete was faced with many challenges including assuring that the organization's resources are utilized for the best interest of the membership and the community. Prior to 1982, unity, courage, enthusiasm, intelligence and tenacity were used to answer the challenges. The continued success of Vanguard depended on those attributes as well as sophistication, an important one that had to be acquired.

Sophistication would manifest itself in a restructuring of the organization for tax advantages and business investments. It had become quite clear that the organization must become involved politically in the issues and candidates who affect the community and ourselves. Vanguard would continue to participate in and strengthen Affirmative Action programs within local law enforcement agencies.

Vanguard provided career guidance, motivation and counseling to Black persons within the law enforcement profession in the interest of upward mobility. Under France's leadership, Vanguard would actively engage in the recruitment of qualified Black men and women into the law enforcement profession. In 1983, a two story brick building was purchased at 4800 Reisterstown Road, in the heart of the Northwest District. The building was renovated and the organization celebrated the ownership of an office building. This was truly an historical event. France served two terms from 1982 - 1986.

Leonard Hamm was the seventh President of Vanguard. While working diligently as the Vice President under the administration of President France, Leonard was instrumental in the site-selection process for securing an office building for our organization. Leonard worked closely with the youth in Baltimore City through the development and sponsorship of numerous youth sports programs. He worked towards continuing the ideals of the past presidents.

Barry W. Powell, during his two terms as President from 1988 - 1992, focused on education and preparing our members to ascend the ranks. Formal instruction for preparation of the supervisory exams tool place with hired professional instructors. The organization had great success in its membership being promoted to the civil service ranks. During his administration, Vanguard hired its first employee. Retired Sergeant Larry D. Jones was hired as the full time Office Administrator for the organization.

Under the financial guidance of Treasurer Wayne Wilson, the organization took an aggressive approach in ridding itself of its mortgage debt. The building was paid off several years ahead of time. This allowed an accumulation of funds to renovate the building which provided a professional atmosphere. The Annual Vanguard Bowling Tournament was started in 1989. The first tournament's proceeds were distributed among the nine Police Explorer Posts.

In 1990, Vanguard hosted its 20th Anniversary. This significant event was the backdrop for the video documentary of the history of the Black Police Officer in the Baltimore Police Department and the role of the Vanguard Justice Society, Inc.

Henry "Hank" Martin, the ninth President of Vanguard, continued to speak out on issues that related to the Black Police experience. Continuing the work initiated by the immediate past president, frequent guest appearances on local radio talk shows and public service television shows were made. Membership increased, guest speakers and instruction were given at membership meetings. Hank diligently worked with Mayor Schmoke and the Civil Service Commission to ensure the promotional process was fair.

Irvin Charles Bradley, the tenth President, worked towards community involvement and maintained a unified effort to continue the civic, athletic and mentoring programs established by Vanguard for the youth of Baltimore City.

Teresa E. Cunningham, the eleventh President of Vanguard was the first female appointed in July of 1995. Teresa continued the professional instruction and preparation of civil service exams for promotions. The organization' membership increased by 100 during her tenure in office. The Vanguard Newsletter was reestablished and renamed "The VJS Erudition" which means; power, knowledge gained by study and; learning", by the Editor, Robert Gibson, Jr., who was also the Vanguard Secretary.

Like past presidents, Teresa, assisted by Vice President Edward C. Jackson, took an active, vocal stand in the political issues affecting the communities we served and our membership. Duly elected in 1996, Teresa and her executive board continued the rich tradition of Vanguard by promoting justice, Fairness and professionalism in law enforcement.

Richard Hite, Jr. (Current President) was elected as the twelfth President in 1998. As President, Richard continues the tradition of justice, fairness and equality for members of the Baltimore Police Department with a very special emphases on community. All programs and initiatives created and carried out under his administration had to meet one specific criteria, . . .How will this help the community?

During his administration, the Vanguard Justice Society was dealing with serious issues of internal strife, specifically, racism within the Baltimore Police Department. Hite's philosophy is to be "Issue Oriented and Solution Based", and with that as a blueprint, Vanguard developed partnerships with great organizations such as the NAACP who assisted in solving some of the internal inequities as well as assisting in the healing process.

Under President Hite's administration, there are a host of additional accomplishments and partnerships formed such as the creation of the Police Commissioner's advisory Council on Discrimination, the Commanders Forum for VJS Representatives and the establishment of the Crisis Response Team that addresses community concerns during high profile and traumatic neighborhood events. The Vanguard is responsible for the agency providing Trial Board Training as well as the appointment of an Administrative Law Judge for Trial Boards.

We have a seat on the Mayor's Transition Team - Public Safety Committee (Mayor Martin O'Malley), the Civilian Review Board and the NAACP Board of Public Safety. We are members of the MOORE Group, the Maryland Chapter of the NBPA as well as associate members of the National Black Police Association. With these affiliations, we are able to partner and communicate with various Law Enforcement agencies across the country. In the continuance of these relationships, the VJS has traveled across the country to address Law Enforcement issues that affect the community as a whole.

The VJS organized an exploratory committee that consisted of a cross section of leadership in the community (clergy-business-law enforcement-educators-local, state and national government-political) that traveled to Richmond Virginia to investigate and compare some methods that are used by the Richmond Police Department to reduce crime and violence. The City of Richmond as of two years ago, lead the nation in crime and homicides per capita. Today, they enjoy a reduction of overall crime by approximately 42% and homicide reduction by approximately 60%. The Vanguard is affiliated with and were supporters of the conference for the National Caucus of Black Legislators and are in present negotiations to partner with Coppin State College.

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Organizational Stucture

Current Office Holders

President: Richard Hite, Jr. Vice President: Robert Gibson, Jr. Secretary: Sheree Briscoe Sgt-at-Arms: William Epperson Treasurer: Berlinda Tucker

Chairperson: Bertina Silver Co-Chair: Anthony Brown Carol A. Opher Charles Koonce

Other Key Vanguard Positions

• Office Manager: Beverly Summers
  
• Accountant: Joan Pratt
  
• Attorney: Bobby Smith
  

Membership Levels

• Active Members of the Baltimore Police Department
  
• Retired Members of the Baltimore Police Department
  
• Associate Membership (Community Members)
  

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