[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING POLICE CHIEF JOHN ROBERTSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 9, 2003

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Police Chief John 
Robertson of the City of Newark Police Department for his 29 years of 
devoted service to the citizens of California.
  Chief Robertson dedicated his life to reducing crime, implementing 
technological advances, and helping the lives of many people on a 
personal basis. He was not content to merely punish wrong-doers, but 
set about to bring an end to the problems he encountered by using a 
community oriented philosophy that worked wonders to stop crime.
  In the course of his career in law enforcement, Chief Robertson has 
left his mark on three cities. He began his career in the City of 
Garden Grove in July 1974 as a Patrol Officer and worked his way up to 
Detective. He was appointed Sergeant in March 1980 and Lieutenant in 
May 1981. He became Captain, February 1986, and served as Deputy Chief 
until August 1988 when he was promoted to Police Chief. He served as 
Police Chief of Garden Grove until June 1992, then as Police Chief of 
the City of Orange until March 1998, and finally as the Chief of Police 
of Newark in August 1998.
  In Garden Grove, Chief Robertson is accredited with revitalizing the 
community through ``family policing'' and developing the Department's 
Pride Program. In Orange, he significantly reduced crime, managed the 
Department's budget and made a significant number of technological 
improvements. In Newark, Chief Robertson implemented a Citizen's Police 
Academy, improved technology, remodeled the police facilities, became a 
mentor for a local high school student, implanted the HOSTS (Help One 
Student to Succeed) Tutoring Program, and took responsibility for the 
City's Code Enforcement Unit and cleaned up a large blighted area of 
Newark.
  Chief Robertson's greatest accomplishments in the City of Newark 
include bringing together the Newark Community by spearheading a youth 
summit with NAACP, setting up meetings with the Afghan Community to 
bridge cultural differences, and working with the gay/lesbian community 
after the murder of a transgender youth. Chief Robertson demands by 
word and shows through leadership that everyone must be treated with 
dignity and respect, regardless of race, color, creed, or sexual 
orientation. He was the first Police Chief to require all officers to 
document racial information on all car stops. He also mandated that all 
police employees attend training at the Museum of Tolerance to promote 
understanding and acceptance in the community.
  I am honored to join the colleagues of Police Chief John Robertson to 
commend his many years of exemplary service to law enforcement. His 
commitment to excellence has shaped the lives of many, and his services 
to California will never be forgotten.

                          ____________________