Maricopa resident and former city police chief Patrick Melvin has met with state leaders of the NAACP to reactivate the branch in Pinal County.
Patrick is now police chief of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near Scottsdale and is the past president of National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
Wilbert Nelson, state president and spokesman for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said a charter exists for a chapter in Pinal County, but at least 50 members are needed for it to become active.
He said the Pinal County branch was active until about four or five years ago, but the local president had to quit because of health problems.
Nelson said he is confident Melvin can reactivate the group.
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