Picture this…
A summer afternoon in Brooklyn. It’s the 80’s and a group of black kids is playing in the park, enjoying an afternoon of shooting hoops. All is well until the walk home. New York Police stopped the children and performed a partial strip search. For kids in this neighborhood, and many others across the nation, this has become an all too common occurrence.
You probably are thinking what does this story have to do with Roanoke? Well in this group of kids, f black kids who had to live under conditions that made this a common experience for many, was a young Sam Roman, now Roanoke City Chief of Police.
Oprah Winfrey recommends that one should “Turn your wounds into wisdom.” On that day, Chief Roman decided to do just that. “I didn’t have a hate for law enforcement, but I did believe there had to be a better way to do the job.” Those wounds would lead to a lifelong career in the military and law enforcement.
But who is Sam Roman? Who is the man behind the badge? What makes him the best choice to serve as Roanoke’s Chief of Police?
Roman grew up in Brooklyn during the crack era, in one of the most challenging environments a young person could endure during those days, Bedstuy (Bedford-Stuyvesant). Not one to allow his environment to dictate his outcome, he went on to finish high school and eventually joined the Marine Corps. During his time with the Marines he was stationed in Quantico. After leaving the military, Roman decided to pursue a career in law enforcement. He applied to only three locations –his home city in New York, Arlington and Roanoke. He received and accepted Roanoke’s offer.
His first assignment in Roanoke was the northwest quadrant of the city, an area of the city he still holds precious and close to his heart. He rose through the ranks from district officer to sergeant, lieutenant, assistant chief and retired from that position in October 2017. After a brief retirement, he went to work as Lexington’s chief, a position he described as “rewarding.”
When former Police Chief Tim Jones announced his early retirement, Roanoke leaders decided to include citizens in the process for hiring his predecessor. This was a time to see the fusion of Roanoke, the city coming together to allow all areas of the city to become united under that star. However, this could not happen without the right candidate in the pool.
Roanoke offers a “perfect blend.” Therefore, when Roman saw the opportunity to rejoin that perfect blend possibly as the chief, he could not resist officially entering the race for police chief.
The process was inclusive, proactive, considerate, competent, an honest attempt at bridging the proverbial gap between neighborhoods, professions, ages and the sexes. It was a process that exemplified the vary characteristics that Roanoke City needed in a new police chief. This is the process that brought Chief Roman home.
Dr. Elda Stanco Downey, founder of the Roanoke Spanish cultural intelligence service firm, put it this way: “Chief Roman brings strong and sensitive leadership to our Roanoke City Police Department. His work experience and studies will provide solid organizational strategies and key perspectives for all the members of the department as they serve and protect our citizens. This is not a welcome, but rather welcome back, Chief Roman, as we are truly lucky to have someone who knows Roanoke so well leading our Police Department.”
A career in law enforcement is not easy, but Chief Roman says he has a great partner by his side. He says Proverbs 18:22 says, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” For the past 27 years he has been married to Sonya Roman, a Roanoke native who grew up in Lincoln Terrace. She gives him his street credit.
Roman is a pastor as well. He and his wife co-pastor Faith and Hope Ministries in the heart of the northwest community. In a marriage that is reaching three decades, Roman described his first date. “Honestly it was the introduction to ministry together,” said Roman. “I asked her on a date, she said yes but only if I went with her to church first.” The couple has two children they raised in Roanoke.
Roman’s experiences have shaped his desire to, “see the potential of what could happen with good and genuine partnership with RCPD and the community that it serves.” His goal is to “create an atmosphere where the community is truly comfortable with the police. Not the institution of the police and other top city agencies and officials, rather, the everyday on the road police officer who can partner with the everyday person.
“It’s less about what police officers think they do and more about what the community thinks of them,” Roman said.
Tags: Roanoke
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