[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 41 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING CHIEF OF POLICE FRANK ALCALA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 1, 1998

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, at a time when crime concerns are on 
every citizen's mind, those who have dedicated their lives to law 
enforcement are to be commended. It is my distinct pleasure to call to 
your attention an outstanding law enforcement official, Chief of the 
East Chicago Police Department, Frank Alcala, on his receipt of Twin 
City Community Services' 9th Annual ``East Chicagoan of the Year'' 
Award. The Twin City Community Services Board of Directors will bestow 
this award upon Chief Alcala at a benefit which will take place 
tomorrow, April 2, 1998, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in East 
Chicago, Indiana.
  Frank Alcala began his distinguished law enforcement career in 1970, 
upon his graduation from the police academy at Indiana University in 
Bloomington. His initial position, as Patrolman, was the beginning of 
his 27-year career with the East Chicago Police Department. He served 
the department in this capacity until 1975, at which time he was 
promoted to Traffic Investigator. In 1981, he became Sergeant in the 
Patrol Division, where he served until he was promoted in 1990, to 
Traffic Sergeant. In 1991, he was promoted to Lieutenant in the Service 
Division, and, in 1994, he was appointed Chief of Police by East 
Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick.
  During his four years as Chief of Police, Frank has made numerous 
contributions to law enforcement in the City of East Chicago. In 1994, 
he hired 12 community police officers, one full-time Drug Awareness 
Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) officer, and provided police security 
to East Chicago Central High School. Also in 1994, he established a 
Special Operations Section Team, a unit comprised of volunteers from 
different areas of the police department, which trains in the handling 
of raids and hostage situations. In addition, Chief Alcala implemented 
the first ever K-9 unit in East Chicago in 1995, and provided an extra 
division of Gang and Narcotics Officers to the police department in 
1997. Also under Frank's supervision, a Cadet Program, which will 
afford graduating high school seniors an opportunity to work for the 
East Chicago Police Department while enrolling in criminal justice 
courses at a local university, will be implemented this year. Chief 
Alcala's strong commitment to crime prevention is exemplified by his 
significant expansion of the police force. In 1994, there were 105 
officers with the East Chicago Police Department; today there are 135.
  In addition to his many law enforcement efforts within the City of 
East Chicago, Chief Alcala participates in numerous law enforcement and 
community service organizations throughout Northwest Indiana. He 
currently serves on the Executive Board of the Lake County Drug Task 
Force and the Executive Committee of the Lake County High Intensity 
Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and Estella Smith Memorial Crime 
Prevention Foundation. Some of the community service organizations he 
assists include: the East Chicago Exchange Club, an organization 
devoted to a variety of youth and community service programs; Christmas 
in April, a program that provides volunteers for the building of homes 
for low-income families; and the St. Catherine's Hospital Foundation 
Annual Support Committee.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in commending Frank Alcala on his receipt of the East Chicagoan of 
the Year Award. His wife, Suzanne, and their children, Doug, Frank Jr., 
and Brian, can be proud of his devoted service to the citizens of East 
Chicago and Indiana's First Congressional District.

                          ____________________