[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 86 (Friday, June 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING JOHN GURNEY OF SONOMA, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2005

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
John P. Gurney who is retiring this month after 12 years as the Chief 
of Police for the City of Sonoma, California.
  How a police department in a small town interfaces with the community 
has always been central to Chief Gurney's policing philosophy. During 
his tenure in Sonoma, Chief Gurney successfully integrated the concept 
of community policing into the department by redirecting resources from 
administration to patrol officers. He established the Sonoma Police 
Department Community Advisory Council to provide public, input and 
feedback on department policies, programs and training. He then 
facilitated a department-wide workshop identifying community 
expectations and developed a strategic plan to meet those expectations. 
A departmental mission and value statement was developed to incorporate 
the community's vision.
  He also established the Sonoma Valley Interagency Council for Youth 
and Family. This organization consists of government and non-profit 
youth and family service organization and is charged with reducing the 
risk factors to our youth and their families. In acknowledgment of his 
work with young people, he received the 2001 Sonoma County Office of 
Education's Youth Award.
  On a countywide basis, Chief Gurney also participated in the 
development, acquisition and implementation of a $12 million Computer 
Aided Dispatch, Records Management and Mobile Computing/Field Reporting 
system and chaired the Oversight Committee for this project.
  Professionally, he has served as President of the Sonoma County Law 
Enforcement Chiefs Association, Chair of the Santa Rosa Training Center 
Advisory Committee, member of the California Peace Officer's 
Association, law enforcement representative to the California Judicial 
Council Collaborative Justice Courts Advisory Committee, member of the 
California Police Chief's Association, the California Police Chief's 
Association representative to both the Community Colleges Chancellor's 
Office Statewide Public Safety Advisory Committee and the Commission on 
Peace Officer and Standards and Training Advisory Committee.
  As a member of his community, Chief Gurney served on the Board of 
Directors of the Valley of the Moon Boys and Girls Club, and was in the 
inaugural class of Leadership Sonoma Valley.
  Mr. Speaker, Chief Gurney and his wife Phyllis own a small vineyard 
in Sonoma and they intend to enjoy the good life upon retirement. It is 
appropriate that we commend him for his many years of public service 
and wish him well on his retirement.

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