[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 197 (Tuesday, December 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2334-E2335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNITION OF COMMANDER DONNA SHEARN, NEWARK, CALIFORNIA POLICE 
                               DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 20, 2011

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Commander 
Donna Shearn. Commander Shearn is retiring after serving 25 years as a 
member of the Newark, California Police Department.
  Commander Shearn began her career with the Newark Police Department 
as a police officer on August 16, 1986. While serving as an officer, 
she was assigned to patrol and the Special Enforcement Unit. 
Additionally, she was a member of the Hostage Negotiation Team. 
Commander Shearn was one of the first three original D.A.R.E. officers 
and also worked as a School Resource Officer. To show her commitment to 
the citizens of Newark, Commander Shearn was active in the creation of 
the Newark Police Department's Vision Statement.
  In July 1991, Commander Shearn was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, 
the first and only female to make Sergeant in the Department's history. 
She served as Administrative Sergeant, as well as Acting Detective 
Division Commander. In addition to her Patrol Sergeant 
responsibilities, she supervised a number of Department programs. These 
programs included, Field Training Officer, Acting Supervisor, 
Explorers, Hostage Negotiations, Trauma Response, Vehicle Abatement, 
Safety Patrol, and Patrol Scheduling and Staffing.
  On July 1, 2004, Commander Shearn was promoted to Police Lieutenant. 
She was the

[[Page E2335]]

first female Police Lieutenant in the Department's history. During her 
time as Lieutenant, she served as the Administrative Lieutenant and the 
Patrol Operations Lieutenant. The Lieutenant position was reclassified 
to the rank of Police Commander on January 1, 2009. Commander Shearn is 
the first female Police Commander in the department's history.
  Commander Shearn was named Employee of the Quarter for Fall 2003. She 
received this award for organizing and coordinating a Board of 
Corrections jail inspection. The Newark Police Department passed this 
inspection with significant recognition. In 2009, she received the 
honor of the City of Newark Employee of the Year award from Mayor Dave 
Smith at the annual Employee Service Awards. She received this award 
for her dedicated efforts to advance the Police Department, despite the 
limited resources allocated to the Department.
  Commander Shearn was awarded the Chiefs Challenge Coin of Special 
Recognition for her outstanding work, loyalty to the organization, and 
tireless efforts in the development and promotion of the Mission, 
Vision, and Values of the Newark Police Department. This coin is issued 
only to members of the Police Department who consistently perform at 
exemplary levels or rise above with a single act of excellence.
  I join in saluting Commander Shearn for her commitment to excellence, 
thanking her for her exemplary service, and wishing her well on her 
retirement.

                          ____________________