The Association was formed in May 1952 in Durham, North Carolina by a group of minority law enforcement officers who recognized the need for an organization to assist in career development and professional progress.  At its inception, the organization was known as the North Carolina Negro Law Enforcement Officers Association.  Throughout the past 50 years, the organization has consistently taken the lead in assuring that training and education opportunities are available to minority personnel.  The Association has also worked toward eliminating racial discrimination and to secure merited recognition of minorities in the profession.

Today, the North State Law Enforcement Officers Association is a non-profit professional organization devoted to furthering the education and training of minority law enforcement personnel.  We are comprised of several hundred law enforcement professionals represented by 11 local Chapters located throughout North Carolina.  Our membership consists of personnel from all branches of the profession and we welcome all law enforcement personnel as members regardless of rank, assignment or department affiliation.  We also offer Honorary Memberships to non-law enforcement advocates who have demonstrated significant support for the advancement of the law enforcement profession and or the Association.

The Association is further strengthened by an Auxiliary Association consisting of spouses and significant others who participate in and support activities of the Association.  The Auxiliary has been very instrumental in the continued growth of the Association. 

The Association realizes there is strength through unity.  Together, we will ensure that a just atmosphere prevails for all law enforcement officers and support personnel.

Past North State Presidents

Mr. J. B. Samuels, Durham Police Department: 1952-1954

Mr. O. H. Leak , High Point Police Department: 1954-1955

Mr. G. L. Nash, Charlotte Police Department: 1955-1956

Mr. A. Howell , Goldsboro Police Department: 1956-1957

Mr. Charles Hickman, Greensboro Police Department: 1957-1958

Mr. Ed Bass, Shelby Police Department: 1958-1959

Mr. Harold Cogdell, Kinston Police Department: 1959-1960

Mr. James Pettiford, Winston-Salem Police Department: 1960-1961

Mr. John Marable, Guildford Sheriff Department: 1961-1962

Mr. Guilbert Sligh, Charlotte Police Department: 1962-1963

Mr. Douglas Parks, Wilson Police Department: 1963-1964

Mr. W. T. Amaker, High Point Police Department: 1964-1965

Mr. James Price, Durham Police Department: 1965-1966

Mr. F. M. Boone, Fayetteville Police Department: 1966-1967

Mr. J. J. Jones, Princeville Police Department: 1967-1969

Mr. Thornton Wilson, Greensboro Police Department: 1969-1970

Mr. Rudy Torrence, Mecklenburg Sheriff Department: 1970-1974

Mr. William Freeman, Fayetteville Police Department: 1974-1977

Mr. Trevor Hampton, Greensboro Police Department: 1977-1980

Mr. Michael McCoy, Winston-Salem Police Department: 1980-1983

Mr. Willie Williams, Rocky Mount Police Department: 1983-1985

Mr. Slyvester Daughtry, Greensboro Police Department: 1985-1987

Mr. George Dunlap, Charlotte Chapter: 1987-1989

Mr. Warren Harper, Rocky Mount Police Department: 1989-1990

Mr. William Sims, N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement: 1990-1992

Mr. Harry Knight, Jr, N.C. State Bureau of Investigation: 1992-1996

Ms. Angela Rivers, N.C. Department of Revenue: 1996-1999

Mr. John H. Manley, Jr., Rocky Mount Police Department: 1999-2000

Mr. Glenn R. Bratton, Gaston County Police Department: 2000-2004

Mr. William A. Phifer, Greensboro Police Department: 2004