SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 360 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled January 9, 2007 Commending Charles E. Samarra.  ---------- Patrons-- Ticer; Delegates: Caputo, Marsden, Moran and Scott, J.M. ----------

WHEREAS, Charles E. Samarra, Chief of the Alexandria Police Department since 1990, is recognized for his exemplary service to the citizens of the City of Alexandria and the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure, Chief Samarra has been a great supporter of utilizing both state-of-the-art technology and traditional law-enforcement techniques in an effort to make the City of Alexandria a safer place to live, work, and enjoy for all of its citizens; and

WHEREAS, an experienced administrator and visionary leader, Chief Samarra has been instrumental in the implementation of technology in all aspects of law enforcement, including the use of laptop computers by officers on patrol; and

WHEREAS, committed to empowering residents and strengthening communities, Chief Samarra has been invaluable in the success of innovative programs such as the Police Citizens Academy, the Youth Citizens Academy, and the Senior Citizens Academy that encourage citizens to partner with the Alexandria Police Department to prevent neighborhood crime; and

WHEREAS, Chief Samarra served as a mentor to numerous city employees as a member of the City of Alexandria's Leadership Institute program; and

WHEREAS, Chief Samarra is a proven leader who has worked well with citizens, civic groups, and business organizations to offer diverse law-enforcement resources, such as officers as advisors to public schools, community foot and bicycle patrols, as well as officers who live in the neighborhoods they serve; and

WHEREAS, during 16 years of distinguished public service, Chief Samarra has been responsible for many excellent programs and policies that have developed a well-trained, diverse, and dedicated workforce of officers, civilian employees, and volunteers, which provide an inspirational law-enforcement model for other police agencies across the Commonwealth and the nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend Chief Charles E. Samarra for his longtime and distinguished service to the citizens of the City of Alexandria and the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Chief Charles E. Samarra as an expression of the General Assembly’s best wishes for a happy and rewarding retirement.