Time Line of Achievement

 1955   Chief Gerald S. Arenberg is struck by a drunk driver and nearly killed. While in the hospital recovering from his injuries, he is inspired to create a memorial to police officers killed in the line of duty.

1960   The American Police Hall of Fame and Museum is dedicated in Northport, Florida              

1967   Realizing a need to have a unified voice to reflect American command law enforcement officers, the National Association of Chiefs of Police is founded by Gerald S. Arenberg and volunteers from throughout the U.S.

1970   The American Police Hall of Fame and Museum expands its awards program to recognize acts of valor and bravery.    

1973   The National Association of Chiefs of Police produces “Who’s Who in Law Enforcement”, a triennial hard cover compendium of law enforcement leaders.               

1977   The American Police Hall of Fame and Museum sponsors the largest group of speakers and seminar leaders in its history at the American Police Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

1982   The American Federation of Police and the National Association of Chiefs of Police publish a series of books on terrorism, under the supervision terrorism expert, Fred Rayne, Esq.

1982   The National Association of Chief of Police promotes and sponsors self defense workshops nationwide.

1987   The National Association of Chiefs of Police produces its first annual national survey of police chiefs and sheriffs. The results of this survey are sent to law makers nationwide.        

1989   The National Association of Chiefs of Police helps pass legislation to increase federal death benefits to the survivors of police officers killed in the line of duty. 

1990   The American Police Hall of Fame and Museum moves to larger facility in Miami, Florida

1997   The National Association of Chiefs of Police, through the Paralyzed and Disabled Police Officers Fund, begins a program to give holiday and birthday gifts to the children of police officers seriously injured in the line of duty.

1997   The National Association of Chiefs of Police, through the Paralyzed and Disabled Police Officers Fund, begins a program to offer college scholarships to the children of police officers seriously injured in the line of duty.

1997   The National Association of Chiefs of Police sponsors a children’s safety program which is distributed to schools throughout the U.S.               

1997   The National Association of Chiefs of Police begins a program to assist police officers injured in the line of duty.

1999   The National Association of Chiefs of Police begins a program to provide body armor to police departments that would otherwise not be able to afford it.

2000   Founder Gerald S. Arenberg dies after a lengthy battle with cancer.    

2001   The National Association of Chiefs of Police begins a program to provide police K-9s to police departments that would not otherwise be able to afford them.

2002   Ground breaking for the new American Police Hall of Fame and Museum in Titusville, Florida.

2003   The American Police Hall of Fame and Museum moves to its new location in Titusville, Florida.

2003   The 24 lane state of the art APHFShootingCenter opens to the public and law enforcement community.

2004   Cofounder Derrick B. Van Brode, IV dies of cancer.

2005   The American Police Hall of Fame and Museum sponsors “Family Fun Day” as well as other community outreach and educational programs.

2006   A record $141,000 is given to Law Enforcement Agencies in this calendar year for K-9 programs.

2008   Barry Shepherd becomes the Executive Director of the National Association of Chief of Police
History & Mission

Founded in 1967, the mission of the National Association of Chiefs of Police is to support and promote the law enforcement profession. The organization has a multifaceted program service effort including the following:

  • To maintain and perpetuate the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum for the purpose of honoring those officers who have died in the line of duty in the United States of America and its territories and possessions and to house a museum of law enforcement artifacts for public display to promote the law enforcement profession and help develop the public’s understanding of the day to day challenges faced by law enforcement professionals. 
  • To educate and promote the annual observance of Peace Officers’ Week and May 15th, Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, to the general public through activities and sponsored programs. 
  • To offer assistance to officers and their families who have been disabled in the line of duty. 
  • To encourage through the leadership of persons who hold a command law enforcement or security position within the United States and her territories and possessions educational activities and services to upgrade law enforcement and security on a professional level. 
  • To publish, distribute and print materials that are relative to law enforcement history, training and services and research material based on studies which may be funded by the organization. 
  • To hold meetings and sponsor seminars and conferences for the purpose of education and upgrading those who may supervise agencies in law enforcement at the federal, state, county and local levels as well as private security, as needed. 
  • To encourage citizen support for law enforcement, for the establishment of a law enforcement memorial and museum and for honoring those men and women who serve and protect in the community on all levels of government. 
  • To help fund or provide resources to law enforcement agencies for crime prevention and/or crime deterrent programs or services for which funds or resources are not readily available to the agency. Examples include: body armor, police K-9s, K-9 program related expenses, community oriented gun safety programs, children’s safety education. 
  • To operate a gun range at which police departments and officers and the public can safely participate in firearm education, training, skill development, recreation and competition and at which the public can develop a better understanding of the firearm competencies required of police officers.