2019 -- S 0841

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LC002429

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING CENTRAL FALLS POLICE CHIEF COLONEL JAMES J.

MENDONCA ON BEING NAMED THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE AND DIRECTOR OF

SAFETY AND SECURITY AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE AND THANKING HIM FOR

HIS TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF

CENTRAL FALLS AND THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Crowley, Ruggerio, Lombardi, Felag, and Sosnowski

     Date Introduced: May 01, 2019

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, James Mendonca began his distinguished public safety and law enforcement

career in 1988 as a correctional officer with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. He

accepted this position shortly after completing his meritorious service with the United States

Marine Corps; and

     WHEREAS, Officer Mendonca was appointed to the position of Patrolman with the

Central Falls Police Department on December 7, 1990, and over the next three decades, steadily

rose through the ranks, ultimately becoming the Central Falls Police Chief thanks to his tireless

work ethic, abiding integrity, and the deep respect he garnered from his peers, colleagues,

superiors and the greater community. Under his leadership, direction and guidance, the Central

Falls Police Department was recognized in 2015 for professional excellence by the Rhode Island

Police Chiefs’ Association; and

     WHEREAS, Chief Mendonca attained a Bachelor’s degree in the Administration of

Justice from Roger Williams University and a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Excelsior

College. He is also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in

Quantico, Virginia, and the 59th session of the Police Executive Research Forum-Senior

Management for Police; and

     WHEREAS, Chief Mendonca has received numerous awards and utmost praise from

both the law enforcement community and from outside observers. In recognition of his exemplary

record of public service, he received a Hassenfeld Family Foundation Rhode Island Public

Service Fellowship at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and

served as the Past President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby congratulates Central Falls Police Chief Colonel James J. Mendonca on being named the

new Chief of Police and Director of Safety and Security at Rhode Island College. We further

thank him for his twenty-eight years of distinguished service to the citizens of Central Falls and

the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Central Falls Police Chief Colonel James J.

Mendonca.

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LC002429

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