History of the Guardian Association

(Cerberean Society)

During the fall months of 1952, the Cerberean Society was but a faint impression in the minds of a few members of the New York City Transit Police Department. These officers would often hold brief discussions on whether such an organization could be formed or could succeed. One of the participants, Patrolman Albert Sims, came away from these discussions with the impression that the organization should be formed. As a result, the first meeting of the society was held on November 28, 1952 at the home of John Hill. Present at this momentous occasion was Albert Sims, James Noel, Jacob Cobbs and John Hill. At this first meeting, Albert Sims recommended that the emblem of the society be "Cerberus", the mythical three headed dog who guarded the gates of hell and hence, the organization was to be known as the "Cerberean Society". It was decided that this society would be perpetuated, first, for the good of its members, with the aim toward cementing better relations within the Transit Police so that the department might better serve the citizens of the City of New York. A secondary goal of the society was to aid in community endeavors, contribute to the organizations that furthered the general welfare and to establish itself as a vocational society.

On January 9, 1953, a little more than a month after the inaugural meeting, the first general membership meeting was held. In this brief period, the membership rolls had doubled. Later that year the society sponsored its first luncheon at the Hotel New Yorker. This successful endeavor was attended by Captain John Flynn, the department’s first chief, and dignitaries from around the city.

In April, 1953 Ida Lewis became the first female member and by the close of that year the society had grown to thirty-three members. On September 30, 1955, eleven new members joined the society. Four of those eleven just celebrated forty-five (45) years of continuous service to the society, 45 years of exemplary service to the community and 45 years service to African American law enforcement officers worldwide. They are Clarence Surgeon, Fredrick Bodie, Leonard Alston and the current president of the Retired Guardian Fraternal Association, George Turner.

In 1974, the Cerberean Society officially changed its name to the Guardian Association. This name change was a great sacrifice, made to show solidarity and to display a united front among all African American law enforcement officers in New York City.