[Montgomery, Ala.] – The Alabama State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s (NAACP) has selected the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) as its Government Partner of the Year Award 2015.
According to the award letter, each year, a government and a non-profit agency are recognized for going above and beyond in supporting the NAACP’s mission and goals. ALEA is being honored specifically for its support during the NAACP’s America’s Journey for Justice, a 1,000-mile march/walk Aug. 1 to Sept. 16 from Selma to Washington, D.C. During the event, which covered five states, marchers traveled the first week through Alabama.
Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier was delighted with news of the honor, “Throughout 2015, ALEA has provided support to events surrounding the historic 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March, including the 1,000-mile march/walk.
Our agency’s mission is to serve and protect the citizens of Alabama and our visitors. We are committed to partnering with other agencies and providing support to organizations whose mission is to enhance the lives of so many.”
“It was our honor to serve the individuals involved in the NAACP’s America’s Journey for Justice,” said ALEA’s Department of Public Safety Director Colonel John E. Richardson. “Through this landmark event, Alabama showed the country and the world, how the state has progressed over the past 50 years.”
In addition to America’s Journey for Justice, ALEA, as the lead law enforcement agency, played a pivotal role in the success of the historic 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March, which drew tens of thousands to central Alabama, including such dignitaries as President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, pioneers of the civil rights movement and a number of celebrities. Both sworn and non-sworn members of ALEA’s Protective Services, Highway Patrol, Marine Patrol, State Bureau of Investigation, Communications and other areas of the agency worked tirelessly with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to make certain the multi-day, multi-venue event was secure, successful and meaningful for those participating.
“The overall success of the historic 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March and related events has been recognized nationally as a best practice for mass gathering events,” said Collier.
For months leading up to the events, ALEA partnered with numerous municipal, county, state, and federal law enforcement partners. Giving the historical significance and pure enormity of the 50th celebration, Secretary Collier requested designation as a National Special Security Event through US DHS and enlisted the support local congressional office. The designation would have provided financial support and possible cost reimbursement to municipal, county and state agencies for providing public safety and incident command throughout the entire event. After the request was denied, ALEA incurred the expense which totaled over $420,000. Secretary Collier stated, "Given the amazing success of the event and its historical value, the incurred expense was well worth it. Despite the denial of federal financial assistance, the operational side of the event was a textbook example of how federal, state and local law enforcement can work together. I appreciate the NAACP recognizing ALEA's commitment."
