Chaplain: Roosevelt Lawrence Jr.
In 1974, NOBLE Life member, Retired Lieutenant Roosevelt Lawrence, Jr. began his career with the Detroit Police Department as a Cadet and one year later, was sworn in as a police officer. During his storied career, he was promoted to the ranks of Sergeant and Lieutenant and had the privilege of being assigned a host of assignments over the years. Lawrence says that it was a badge of honor to have served on the staffs of Chiefs William Hart, Stanley Knox and Ike McKinnon as their Executive Protection officer and Supervisor. In 2000, he attended The Police School of Staff and Command at Eastern Michigan University. He served with distinction and retired in 2005 after 31 years of service.
Lieutenant Lawrence knew that his life was meant for service. Not ready to sit on the sidelines, from 2006 to 2008 he chose to become a Classroom Teacher (Special Instructor) at The A. Philp Randolph Career and Technical Center; the only career and technical center in the city of Detroit that offers hands-on training in the area of Construction that leads to industry certification. Still not ready to cut ties from the educational system, from 2008 to 2010, Lt. Lawrence worked in the Detroit Public Schools Office of General Counsel as a Compliance Investigator and in 2010, he found his way back into law enforcement serving as a Deed Fraud Investigator with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and also provided personal protection to our lead Prosecutor, The Honorable Kym L. Worthy. While working a job that can seem stressful at times due to its high-profile nature, Lawrence recognized the importance of education and completed his undergraduate program at Eastern Michigan University in Public Safety Administration.
In 2011, Lt. Lawrence received the much-coveted Men of Excellence award from the Michigan Chronicle of which he was both honored and most grateful for his commitment to community service.
In 2017, and for the next seven years, at the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Lawrence worked as a background investigator for new employees and before he retired, started working on his Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Always willing to grow and learn, as a licensed minister at Triumph Church, he serves with the Men’s Ministry and the Jr. Security Cadets, and in his spare time, he attends the Moody Theological Seminary, studying Children and Family Ministry. Lt. Lawrence always had a penchant for Black history and writing, so he combined both interests to become a published author and penned his first book - Blacks that wore Blue – the historical perspective of the men and women of the Detroit Police Department and law enforcement. It was this rich history that motivated him to serve as President of the Detroit African American Police Association where he mentored younger officers and for the past five years, served as the lead mentor at the University Prep Grade School with the BOYS2MEN mentoring program.
Tremendously proud of his 54-year journey as a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. he is the senior member of six Omega men in his collective family; two biological brothers and three cousins to which he boasts; a beautiful family legacy!! He lists amongst his greatest achievements, his reward of fathering 2 adult children, Reggie and Jennifer - both HBCU graduates from Tuskegee University and Tennessee State University respectfully.
At the 2023 NOBLE National Conference, Retired Lt. Lawrence was honored to receive the 2023 Retired Members Community Service Award bestowed upon him because he continues to serve the city of Detroit and its surrounding community by demonstrating selflessness and commitment to community-oriented projects and outreach initiatives.
Lt. Lawrence is currently involved in multiple organizations and volunteers his time, money, and commitment to assist young black males in the community.
Retired Lt. Lawrence lives by the ideology - Leading from the Front, Hardworking and Faithful. His credo – “Service is who he is…and service is what he does.”
Recording Secretary: Velma Hampton
I am Velma Hampton - I enjoy and passionate about working with the community, and community organizations. I received my Master Degree at the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science from Wayne State University in Criminal Justice and Administration. I received certification from the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University in Leadership and was encouraged to continue on in pursuit of Degree in Business Administration. In 2021, I received specialized training in Crisis Intervention through the Detroit Police Department. This training assisted me in how to handle residents in crisis.
I am currently a Lieutenant for the Detroit Police Department at the Detroit Detention Center, where it gives me the opportunity to assist and investigate the needs of the community in the Metro Detroit area. I am afforded the opportunity to work with a variety of agencies in law enforcement and in the criminal justice arena to bring resolutions to the citizens of Wayne County while they are detained in the Michigan Department of Corrections.
I have been an active member of NOBLE and the Metro Detroit Chapter since 2018. I have served on the Executive Board from 2019-2022. I am a Lifetime member of NOBLE and continue to diligently serve the Metro Detroit Chapter on the Executive Board as the Recording Secretary. I am a member of Triumph Church Detroit and also serve as a Security Lead – East Campus on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. In this capacity the team is responsible for the safety and protection of the congregation during worship services.
Treasurer: Shirley A. Berger
Sergeant Shirley A. Berger is a lifelong resident of the city of Detroit with a rich history of
community and civic involvement in organizations such as the Mercy Education Project, the
Downtown East Citizen Radio Patrol, and the NOBLE Metro-Detroit Chapter.
Sergeant Berger began her law enforcement career with the Detroit Police Department in 1986
where she worked Patrol, Crime Statistics and Community Relations. She taught Drug Abuse
Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) in approximately (4) middle school to impact the lives of our
teenagers. She received the following certifications: Certified Drug Abuse Resistance Education
(DARE) Instructor, Child Passenger Safety Certified Technician, Standardized Field Sobriety
Testing, Certified Technician, Grant Certified Specialist, Certified Crime Analysis Professional
and a graduate of the School of Police Staff and Command.
Sergeant Berger earned a Master of Science degree in Technology Studies from Eastern Michigan
University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management and Organization Development from
Spring Arbor University.
In 2004, Sergeant Berger was promoted and assigned to the Fiscal Management Bureau,
overseeing the department’s assets, Payroll, Fiscal Operations, Resource Management and Grant
Management. As a Certified Grant Specialist, Ms. Berger trained members of the Detroit Police
Department in grant management and audit oversight. In addition, she assisted in implementing
internal controls and accountability measures for grant projects. She successfully monitored and
managed over twenty-five federal, state, and local grants. After 25 years of dedicated service, she
retired to spend more time with her family and grandchildren although her volunteer services in
the community did not stop.
Under the leadership and direction of former Chief of Police Ella Bully-Cummings, Sergeant
Berger was introduced to the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives
(NOBLE) and has been a member of NOBLE since 2006. She credits her long NOBLE legacy
and training to various mentors including Chief Bully-Cummings.
In 2007, she was selected from the Metro-Detroit Chapter to serve as a member of the National
Education and Training Committee and in 2008, was appointed by Former National President Earnest
Green as the National NOBLE Membership Chair. She served with as the National Membership
Chair with distinction for approximately three years.
In 2012, Sergeant Berger assumed the role of National Chairperson of the 2014 NOBLE National
NOBLE Training Conference and Exhibition in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She traveled from Detroit
to Grand Rapids for approximately 1 1/2 years to ensure a successful and meaningful conference.
During the National Conference, she was awarded the Jessie A. Fleming NOBLE Woman of the Year
Award.
She has been an Executive Board Member of the Metro-Detroit Chapter for approximately 10 years
and has held various titles including Treasurer, Financial Secretary and Committee Chair, and has
been a committed, tireless worker on behalf of NOBLE and its members for the last 18 years.
She has received various community Service Awards: Certificate of Congressional Recognition,
Spirit of Detroit Award, numerous Community Service Awards and Eastern Michigan University
Staff and Command – Leadership Awards.
In July, 2023 during the 47th Annual NOBLE National Women’s Symposium, Shirley received an
award from Conference Chair, Chief Shelia Mason for her continued dedication and work toward the
goals and mission of NOBLE and her Detroit Community.
As a retiree, Shirley Berger’s goal in life is to always be a catalyst in changing the culture,
influencing friends and family in a positive way with pride, character and integrity and assist in
bridging the literacy gap within the city of Detroit.
