[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 CONGRATULATING EL SEGUNDO POLICE CHIEF TIM GRIMMOND ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2001

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Tim Grimmond, who will 
be retiring at the end of this month as chief of the El Segundo Police 
Department.
  For those of us who have been privileged to call him a friend, Tim's 
retirement is bittersweet. It's well-deserved, for sure, but for those 
of us left to fight another day, Tim's departure from the ranks means 
that we will no longer have the benefit of his perseverance, his 
insight and expertise, and his leadership in the war against crime.
  Tim dedicated his life and immense talents to the South Bay. His law 
enforcement career began at an early age, when he became a cadet in the 
Hermosa Beach Police Department in 1964. Transferring to the El Segundo 
Department in 1967, Tim advanced through the ranks, ultimately becoming 
Chief of Police in 1992--just as I was elected to Congress. How quickly 
time goes by.
  In my view, what truly made Tim's tenure as chief unique was his 
vision in seeing how technology could be used to combat crime--how 
could be used to give law enforcement and citizens the upper hand in 
protecting lives, property, the peace and our values. To achieve this 
goal, Tim understood the importance of developing partnerships between 
local, state and federal governments. In fact, a success that he and I 
are particularly proud of is the siting in El Segundo of the Department 
of Justice's Western Regional Law Enforcement and Technology Center.
  One of five federal centers nationwide, the Law and Tech Center's 
role is to research, review, develop, and implement innovative 
technologies for both regional and national law enforcement and 
corrections services. With an
  More recently, I worked with Tim on the issue of radio 
interoperability. Given the multiplicity of broadcast frequencies and 
varying radio equipment, it's sometimes seems easier for one police 
agency to yell out the window to another than to find a common 
broadcast frequency or compatible equipment. In a region the size and 
population of Los Angeles County, and with our history of natural 
disasters, this shouldn't be the case and, under Tim's leadership, we 
are beginning the process of solving this communications problem.
  Knowing him as we do, it's easy to believe that Tim is a mentor to 
many. He is generous in the amount of time and energy he devotes to his 
profession, to his fellow officers, to civic groups, and to young 
people. I am honored that he devoted time to me--inviting me to join 
him and the other South Bay chiefs in learning about the challenges 
that face law enforcement. Armed with the guidance and advice that Tim 
and others have given, I am proud to have translated their needs into 
federal policies supportive of their hard work.
  Of course, any list of accomplishments doesn't begin to summarize 
one's life--particularly one as active as Tim's. Indeed, I was 
surprised recently to learn that Tim is a talented artist. He enjoys 
the arts of woodworking and painting and one of his watercolors hangs 
in my Redondo Beach district office. What other hidden talents does he 
have besides frequenting ``Blackie's House of Beef'' when he's in 
Washington, DC?
  I will miss having Tim as one of the police chiefs in the 36th 
district, but he will forever remain a friend and an inspiration on the 
true meaning of public service.

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