Oct 5, 2018   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Police Foundation Announces New Name

Today, after nearly 50 years, the Police Foundation is pleased to announce it will be rebranding itself as the National Police Foundation. You’ll soon see the new name and look in public, such as the Foundation’s website, social media, and conferences. You’ll also see it in written publications, such as reports, essays, and press releases. The National Police Foundation believes the new name and look better represents and matches what it has grown to become over the past 48 years: a national, non-profit organization committed to advancing democratic policing through innovation and science.

Since the Foundation’s founding in 1970, its name has been the Police Foundation; however, it was not the only Police Foundation using that name. There are now many, many local police foundations, none of which are affiliated with the NPF.

“We are unique in our independence, our work, and our people,” says National Police Foundation President, Chief (Ret.) Jim Bueermann. “We feel it is important to make the distinction that we are an independent, national research organization, proud of the work we do with agencies across the country, as well as internationally. Our goal is to make clear our national focus and our commitment to support law enforcement officers and agencies by advancing policing as America’s most noble profession.”

The new name was approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, led by Chairman Bernard Melekian, who has nearly 40 years of law enforcement experience and understands the importance of branding. Melekian, who is the current Assistant County Executive Officer over Public Safety for Santa Barbara County, CA, has previously served as the Undersheriff for Santa Barbara, Police Chief for the city of Pasadena, an officer with the Santa Monica Police Department, the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and a member of the United States Army and Coast Guard Reserves.

“These rebranding changes are not just important to us, but to law enforcement agencies,” says Melekian. “By branding ourselves as the National Police Foundation we hope more policing organizations, policy makers and community members will recognize our name and know that we are here to serve them.”

For more information, please visit the National Police Foundation website. For media inquiries, please contact Erica Richardson, Communications Specialist at the National Police Foundation, at erichardson@policefoundation.org or at 202-833-1460.