HJ451: Commending Chris Perkins.
WHEREAS, Chris Perkins, who has served with distinction as Chief of Police of the City of Roanoke for five years, presiding over a steady reduction in crime each year, retired on March 1, 2016, after more than 23 years as a law-enforcement officer; and
WHEREAS, Chris Perkins, who is a native of Marion in Smyth County, joined the City of Roanoke Police Department in 1992 and first worked in the Community Oriented Policing and Enforcement Unit; he advanced quickly through the ranks and was named police chief after a nationwide search in 2010; and
WHEREAS, a hands-on approach and emphasis on connecting with communities were hallmarks of Chris Perkins’ leadership of the Roanoke police force; he focused on helping and improving communities and was known for his personal engagement with civic groups; and
WHEREAS, Chris Perkins was well regarded for utilizing data analysis to study crime trends and even predict crime in Roanoke; he was a student of police work at its most technical level and earned praise for a program that helped low-level perpetrators through counseling and job training instead of incarceration; and
WHEREAS, as Chief of Police in Roanoke, Chris Perkins supervised a department with 305 employees, of whom 246 are sworn officers; during his tenure, violent crime has declined and the focus on community policing has improved relations between the police force and the surrounding area, helping to make the city safer; and
WHEREAS, in the last five years, Chris Perkins oversaw a 34-percent reduction in juvenile arrests in Roanoke; he is proud of the increasing diversity in the Roanoke Police Department, which has seen large increases in the number of female and minority officers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Chris Perkins for his outstanding work as Chief of Police of the City of Roanoke; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Chris Perkins as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect and admiration for his exemplary commitment to safeguarding the people of Roanoke and best wishes in retirement.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 451
Patrons-- Rasoul, Campbell, Cole, Habeeb, Head, Hope, Krizek, Lindsey, Simon and Spruill; Senators: Deeds, Ebbin, Favola, Saslaw, Surovell and Wagner
WHEREAS, Chris Perkins, who has served with distinction as chief of police for the City of Roanoke for five years, presiding over a steady reduction in crime each year, retired on March 1, 2016, after more than 23 years as a law-enforcement officer; and
WHEREAS, Chris Perkins, who is a native of Marion in Smyth County, joined the City of Roanoke Police Department in 1992 and first worked in the Community Oriented Policing and Enforcement Unit; he advanced quickly through the ranks and was named police chief after a nationwide search in 2010; and
WHEREAS, a hands-on approach and emphasis on connecting with communities were hallmarks of Chris Perkins’ leadership of the Roanoke police force; he focused on helping and improving communities and was known for his personal engagement with civic groups; and
WHEREAS, Chris Perkins also was well regarded for utilizing data analysis to study crime trends and even predict crime in Roanoke; he was a student of police work at its most technical level and earned praise for a program that helped low-level perpetrators through counseling and job training instead of incarceration; and
WHEREAS, as chief of police in Roanoke, Chris Perkins supervised a department with 305 employees, of whom 246 are sworn officers; during his tenure, violent crime has declined and the focus on community policing has improved relations between the police force and the surrounding area, helping to make the city safer; and
WHEREAS, in the last five years, Chris Perkins oversaw a 34-percent reduction in juvenile arrests in Roanoke; he also is proud of the increasing diversity in the Roanoke Police Department, which has seen large increases in the number of female and minority officers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Chris Perkins for his outstanding work as chief of police for the City of Roanoke; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Chris Perkins as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect and admiration for his exemplary commitment to safeguarding the people of Roanoke and best wishes in retirement.