2019 -- S 0983

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LC002804

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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

HONORING COLONEL THOMAS F. LEE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS

POLICE CHIEF OF THE PORTSMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT

     

     Introduced By: Senators Seveney, Ruggerio, Felag, Lombardi, and Ciccone

     Date Introduced: June 18, 2019

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, Throughout history, our state has been propitiously blessed with men and

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women who are willing to step forward and safeguard our property and the liberty we hold so

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dear. These often unsung heroes go about the day-to-day task of upholding the laws of this state

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and it is fitting that we recognize their value and myriad contributions; and

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     WHEREAS, To the very good fortune of the citizens of Portsmouth, in 2013, Colonel

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Thomas Lee was named Chief of the Portsmouth Police Department, which gave him the

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responsibility of implementing and administrating the "effective and efficient operation and the

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enforcement of rules and regulations of all laws within the town's legal jurisdiction." He had

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previously served for thirty-four years with the Boston Police Department, where he retired with

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the rank of Deputy Superintendent; and

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     WHEREAS, During his six-year tenure with the Portsmouth Police Department, Chief

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Lee spearheaded the construction of a critically-needed and voter-approved new $10 million

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police station. Under his leadership, the department also earned statewide accreditation from the

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Rhode Island Police Chief's In-State Accreditation Commission, and increased the force's

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diversification through the hiring of four new women officers and the appointment of the

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Department's first female Deputy Chief; and

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     WHEREAS, In addition, based on data collected by SafeHome.org., Portsmouth was

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named the safest community in Rhode Island in March. Chief Lee also created two new resource

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officer positions for the Town's schools, and a Citizen's Police Academy; and

 

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     WHEREAS, If called upon, today’s police officers must not only be willing and able to

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“Protect and Serve” and be ready to step into deadly situations with proficiency and with little

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regard for their own safety, but they must also serve on a variety of professional and community

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associations. Chief Lee has worked continuously to build trust between the police and the

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residents of Portsmouth and has been described by his peers as, "an inspiration for all that work in

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the law enforcement community"; and

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     WHEREAS, The citizenry of Portsmouth lead far safer and more secure lives due to the

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extraordinary career of Col. Thomas Lee and he is eminently worthy of our emulation and

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acknowledgement; now, therefore be it

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

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hereby recognizes, honors, and thanks Colonel Thomas F. Lee on the occasion of his retirement

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after six years of steadfast service to the people of Portsmouth. We wish him good health,

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fulfillment and continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it further

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

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Colonel Thomas Lee, Chief of the Portsmouth

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Police Department.

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LC002804

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