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Photo gallery: Ocala police celebrate Alice Faison, the first African American woman sworn into the force

WUFT | By Xinyue Li
Published February 2, 2023 at 10:19 AM EST
Alice Faison, the first African American woman sworn in to the force in Ocala in 1969, gives a speech in the Ocala Police Department after she was recognized for her past contribution to the community on the first day of Black History Month, Ocala, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. "...and thank god for this, I was born color-blind--I didn't see color, never, from a child, and I'm now almost 76 years old," says Faison. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News)
Alice Faison, the first African American woman sworn in to the force in Ocala in 1969, gives a speech in the Ocala Police Department after she was recognized for her past contribution to the community on the first day of Black History Month, Ocala, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. "...and thank god for this, I was born color-blind--I didn't see color, never, from a child, and I'm now almost 76 years old," says Faison. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News)
Alice Faison, the first African American woman sworn in to the force in Ocala in 1969, gives a speech in the Ocala Police Department after she was recognized for her past contribution to the community on the first day of Black History Month, Ocala, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. "...and thank god for this, I was born color-blind--I didn't see color, never, from a child, and I'm now almost 76 years old," says Faison. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News)
Alice Faison, the first African American woman sworn in to the force in Ocala in 1969, gives a speech in the Ocala Police Department after she was recognized for her past contribution to the community on the first day of Black History Month, Ocala, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023.

 

Alice Faison's family members cheer for her after she was recognized at the Ocala Police Department in Ocala, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News)
Alice Faison's family members cheer for her after she was recognized at the Ocala Police Department in Ocala, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News)

 

Tara Woods, the Community Liaison at the Ocala Police Department, hands the police hat with Alice Faison's old badge on to her at the Ocala Police Department in Ocala, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. "Before I retired, I was doing the same job she did, and I found her story really inspirational. Last year I learned that she's still with us, and I always wanted to bring her back to say thank you to her," says Woods. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News)
Tara Woods, the Community Liaison at the Ocala Police Department, hands the police hat with Alice Faison's old badge on to her at the Ocala Police Department in Ocala, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023.

 

After she was recognized at the Ocala Police Department in Ocala, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, Alice Faison shares some stories that took place while she was working here. Faison concludes, "You know, that's all about love for one another, sharing with one another, and respect for one another." (Xinyue Li/WUFT News)
After she was recognized at the Ocala Police Department in Ocala, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, Alice Faison shares some stories that took place while she was working there. Faison concludes,

 

Alice Faison expresses her gratitude toward everyone who came today to celebrate this moment with her as she was honored at the Ocala Police Department in Ocala, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News)
Alice Faison expresses her gratitude toward everyone who came to celebrate this moment with her as she was honored at the Ocala Police Department in Ocala, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News)

 

Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken, representing the department, recognizes Alice Faison for her past contribution to the community she used to serve at Ocala Office Department in Ocala, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News)
Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken, representing the department, recognizes Alice Faison for her past contribution to the community she used to serve at Ocala Office Department in Ocala, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News)
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Florida Good OcalaOcala Police DepartmentBlack History Monthwuft newshistorycommunitypoliceWUFT
Xinyue Li
Xinyue is a photographer for WUFT News who can be reached by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.
See stories by Xinyue Li