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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

the rank of Deputy Superintendent; and

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

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

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

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

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

Department's first female Deputy Chief; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

the law enforcement community"; and

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

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

acknowledgement; now, therefore be it

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

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

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

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

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

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

Police Department.

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LC002804

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