We are all one community. Law enforcement is just one of the many professions found among the people in our community.

So says Morris Roberson, president of the Central Virginia Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, or NOBLE.

The chapter works with Richmond area residents to make sure they are safe, more informed and knowledgeable about law enforcement through a variety of programs.

Among them is “The Law and You,” started 17 years ago. The presentation focuses on “how best to interact with law enforcement under any circumstances,” Mr. Roberson says.

All circumstances are not adversarial, he says.

“An officer may knock on your door to interview you about an individual down the street who has applied for a law enforcement position and they are just doing a background investigation to establish suitability for the agency.” NOBLE was founded in September 1976 during a three-day symposium coordinated by the Joint Center for Political Studies to address crime in low-income urban areas.

Seeing the need for an organization that would address their community needs, top-ranking African-American law enforcement professionals representing 24 states and 50 major cities gathered for the Washington conference. They pledged to ensure equity in the administration of justice when protecting and serving all communities, as well as being the conscience of law enforcement by being committed to justice through action.

The national organization currently has more than 60 chapters. The Central Virginia Chapter has about 45 members ranging from law enforcement’s executive level to patrol officers. Civilians and university students interested in the organization’s goals and mission also are members.

Mr. Roberson, 70, a retired U.S. postal inspector, says the Central Virginia Chapter has helped people across the city and the nation. Members went to Ferguson, Mo., following the fatal 2014 shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a white police officer.

The chapter also uses a MILO simulator, in partnership with the Richmond Police Training Academy, to educate students and adults on police pursuits and use of force. It gives participants an opportunity to see how they would react in fast-paced, stressful scenarios, Mr. Roberson explains.

“It’s an attitudinal game changer,” he says. “A lot of people see things on the news on TV, and everybody has an opinion. But the real world is unlike what they see on TV.” The simulator helps to drive that point home.

The chapter also helps with HopeLine, a Verizon program aimed at helping to prevent domestic violence by providing refurbished cell phones and funds to shelters for survivors of domestic abuse.

“A lot of people that get in trouble, especially in domestic violence, don’t have a way to call the police,” Mr. Roberson says. The donated phones help, he says.

He wants people to understand that “99 percent of police officers go to work and do the best they can every day for their communities. They have families, too,” he says.

Meet law enforcement advocate and this week’s Personality, Morris Roberson:

Community involvement: President, Central Virginia Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, or NOBLE.

Occupation: Retired as a U.S. postal inspector with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Virginia Union University.

Alma maters: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1979; master’s in criminal justice, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2008.

Family: Wife, Catherine.

When Central Virginia Chapter of NOBLE was started: October 1994.

Number of chapter members: Currently, approximately 45.

Why I am excited about this organization: I like NOBLE because of the educational opportunities we can bring to the communities.

My No. 1 objective as president: Upward mobility of members of the organization and working with community members.

Current chapter efforts: We just assisted with providing Christmas needs to a couple of families in the area. We are looking toward working with community groups to discuss gaining a better understanding of the law enforcement community in order to enhance better relations between communities and law enforcement.

Opportunities for women in law enforcement: The opportunities are wide open for women in the law enforcement arena and they are really needed. One of my former students was just sworn in Jan. 4 as a Richmond police officer.

A perfect day for me is: Helping someone.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Driving across country.

A quote that I am inspired by: “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” — Benjamin Franklin

My friends describe me as: The traveler.

The top of my “to do” list is: Keep on working in communities and helping individuals and groups in those communities.

The best thing my parents ever taught me: Respect.

The person who influenced me the most: My father, Garland Roberson.

What I’m reading now: “Introduction to Criminal Justice” by James Fagin.