Article | - 6:03 pm
A Special Day of Recognition for NYPD Officers at The Universal Church in Brooklyn, NYC
On Friday, December 6th, The Universal Church at 1091 Fulton Street in Brooklyn, New York, hosted the 2024 Medal Day Ceremony of the New York City Police Department 79th Precinct, a moment of tribute and recognition to police officers for the good work they did in 2024.
Two hundred NYPD officers and their families participated in the awards ceremony. “We provided the space for the ceremony and honored the officers who stood out in their service during 2024. In addition, those who have served a long time, civilians, and organizations who have also made a difference in supporting the community were honored. The Universal Church was one of the institutions recognized,” explained Pastor Rafael Costa, responsible for the Universal in Law Enforcement (ULE) community outreach project.
Among those present to honor the event were:
Honorable Jessica S. Tisch, Police Commissioner
Tania I. Kinsella, First Deputy Commissioner
Chief Jeffrey B. Maddrey, Chief of Department
Chief John M. Chell, Chief of Patrol
Assistant Chief Scott Henderson, Commanding Officer, Patrol Borough Brooklyn North
Deputy Inspector Hipolito M. Gil, Commanding Officer, 79th Precinct
Patrick Hendry, President Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association
Reverend Dr. Barbara Williams-Harris, Chaplain, NYPD Chaplains Unit
Bishop Bira Joshua concluded the event with a special prayer for the protection of everyone in attendance. The gathering was marked by uplifting moments emphasizing the importance of gratitude, appreciation, and mutual support. God encourages His people to pray for their community and its authorities. May God grant our officers and community inner strength, wisdom, and guidance and protect them from harm and evil.
First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
“The event is very important for the officers, as they dedicate their lives to the community, they are away from their families, and this event is a moment of recognition for all this sacrifice. For a police officer, this is a motivator. Universal opened its doors to us, and this is very important. I am very grateful to Universal for the ULE that prays for us weekly, gives us support, and connects us to the community,” said Hipolito M. Gil, Commanding Officer of the 79th Precinct.
Universal in Law Enforcement (ULE) is an outreach program supported by The Universal Church. Its primary goal is to provide spiritual and emotional support to police officers through appreciation, prayer, and counseling. The program also seeks to bridge gaps in awareness, understanding, communication, and mutual support between the police force and other community members.
ULE has been active in the USA for the past two years, primarily in New York City. Each week, ULE visits an NYPD precinct to offer prayers and counseling. ULE expresses appreciation by sponsoring breakfasts or lunches and distributing books or newsletters filled with encouraging words of faith to promote inner peace and strength.
