Meet the NADPLE Governing Board
Working to Motivate and Innovate
As a group of DEI professionals working in the law enforcement industry, we recognized access to resources and a network to other professionals in Law Enforcement was crucial. A governing board was formed to structure and develop the association while managing a monthly presence with other professionals across the nation.
Our Team
Dr. Ruth Renee Hill has spent over twenty-four years in higher education, primarily focused on providing senior leadership to various student programs focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2020 Chief Asbury recruited Dr. Hill to join the Columbus State Police Department to help facilitate diversity work within Columbus State Police Department as the Senior Advisor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She is now sharing her insight and experience with law enforcement organizations to help build community partnerships and trust. Dr. Hill is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) through the National Diversity Council and Chair of the New Directions Career Center (501c3) Social Justice Committee. Dr. Hill is an instructor for the Ohio Association for Chiefs of Police (OACP), and the Police Executive Leadership College (PELC). She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Bowling Green State University and a Doctorate of Education from Capella University in Educational Leadership and Management.
Kelly Fenner is the Director of Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and the former Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer for the Baltimore County Police Department. She is a former law enforcement officer, retired Captain from the Maryland Transit Administration Police Force with 26 years of dedicated service. Kelly holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security & Emergency Management, a Master’s of Science degree in Management with a concentration in Organizational Leadership and Change. She also holds a Diversity & Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University. As the Chief D&I Officer, Kelly is committed to implementing a sustainable action plan focused on educating, developing and reinforcing DEI concepts in policy, procedures, and practices.
Napoleon A .Bell II attended the Ohio State University and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Capital University. After college he worked for 6 years in sales management. Realizing is passion for community involvement Mr. Bell left his management position to begin his work as a police officer for the City of Columbus Department of Public Safety.
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Napoleon Bell has dedicated over 23 years of service to the City of
Columbus. As a police officer, Mr. Bell dedicated himself to protecting and serving the community for more than 12 years. Successful mediation skills and active community engagement drove his promotion with the Strategic Response Bureau where he served as a Community Liaison Officer. Mr. Bell was also a Certified Defensive Tactics Instructor, Field Training Officer and Crime Prevention Specialist. During his tenure, he received the Silver Cross Medal for Heroism. He is a founding member of the Annual Neighborhood Best Practices Conference bringing communities together to network and impact change in their neighborhoods.
In May 2005 he became the Deputy Director for the City of Columbus Community Relations Commission. In February 2009, Mayor Michael B. Coleman appointed Mr. Bell as Executive Director for the City of Columbus Community Relations Commission. As Executive Director he oversaw enforcement of the Columbus Civil Rights Code in housing, employment and public accommodations, The New Americans Initiative, Diversity and Cultural Competency training, Community Police Relations and community outreach and engagement. His continuous efforts were focused on improving communities and the quality of life for all residents throughout Columbus.
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In February of 2016 Mr. Bell continued his work with Phoenix Consulting while running for elected office as State Representative for the 25th House District in the November 2016 general election.
Continuing his work in Public Safety Mr. Bell joined the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office as the Community Outreach and Engagement Manager in 2017. He was later promoted to Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion in September 2020 to facilitate a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where all employees and volunteers feel valued and respected.
As of August of 2023, Mr. Bell matriculated to the Court of Common Pleas General Division in a new position as Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion. He is also a Certified Diversity Professional through Diversity First Inc and Certified Instructor through the Ohio Police Officers Training Academy.
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Mr. Bell currently serves on the Franklin County Community Based Correctional Facility Governing Board, Franklin County Children Services Board, Franklin County Youth Advisory Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters African American Advisory Council and mentor, Ohio Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Holiday Commission, Current President of Central Ohio Crime Stoppers and Sgt. At Arms of the Columbus Branch NOBLE. He is also a founding member of the (NADPLE) National Association of Diversity Equity and Inclusion Professionals in Law Enforcement. Mr. Bell has also served as Past Chair and board member of ETSS, OSU’s Diversity Outreach and Engagement Advisory Council, OSU Youth Violence Prevention Advisory Board, United Way Training Advisory Committee, United Nations Association Board and was featured in Who’s Who in Black Columbus. Napoleon Bell is also a dedicated husband to wife Toni and father to Leah, Joe, Napoleon III and Chris.
Cortney Hawkins holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Birmingham School of Law, a Bachelor of Science in American and European History with a minor in Human Services from Troy University, and various certifications, such as Crisis Intervention, Mediation, and Arbitration, Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission- EEO Investigator. She has held significant roles, including the first and current role of Diversity Officer for the University of Virginia Police Department and the former Education Assistant at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. As the Diversity Officer, Cortney serves as a member of the Command Staff, Leadership Team, and Data-Driven Crime Analysis and Problem Solving meetings. In this role, she manages and monitors the department's involvement in Criminal and Investigation Procedures, reviews policy, and implements training to ensure compliance with federal/state regulations such as the Freedom of Information Act, Title 6 and 9, Virginia Administrative Code 6VAC20-30-30 and Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. She also conducts in-depth research on legal cases, including Consent Decrees, Criminal and Civil Lawsuits against police departments, contributing to the department's continuous improvement. She actively participated in public forums, including the Law Enforcement Mental Health Symposium, Leading Through Compassion: Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health, the HBCU- LEEA Training Conference, and the NAPA Conference on Social Equity Leadership in Kansas City, Missouri. The organization aims to provide the resources necessary to maintain DEI efforts in any law enforcement agency. She is also a part of the NYPD Law Enforcement Equity Advisory Board, which unites a group of dedicated professionals determined to effect change in their departments. In her prior capacity as an Education Assistant with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, she cultivated collaborations with government entities and community stakeholders. Notably, she orchestrated the 14th annual joint conference between BCRI and FBI, with a focus on the history of Hate Crimes in Places of Worship. Additionally, she conducted comprehensive orientation sessions for visitors, volunteers, and interns, ensuring their seamless integration into the institution. As part of her responsibilities, she contributed to the grant process by analyzing the proposal's target audience and gathering pertinent information expands the Institute's sphere of influence. She ensured donor acquisition and retention and stewardship over contracts, allowing collaborations between corporations and small businesses to raise over a million dollars to support community events.
Marlon Marion and is a native Oregonian where and attended schools in NE Portland. Prior to his current role as Equity and Inclusion Manager for the Portland Police Bureau, he was the African American Student Service Coordinator for Diversity & Multicultural Student Services at Portland State University. Marion received his BA in Spanish from Grambling State University in Louisiana, and his Master’s in Sociology at Portland State University. His life experiences have contributed to his passion for learning about and understanding of achievement models, race relations and racial/social equity. Marion's work, research and community involvement all revolve around the advancement of underserved and underrepresented populations.