[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 157 (Monday, October 26, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1534]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING DEPUTY CHIEF DAVID E. DOWNING

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 26, 2015

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the exemplary career of 
Deputy Chief David Downing of the Oakland Police Department.
  Deputy Chief Downing began his career in law enforcement with the 
Oakland Police Department (OPD) in 1988. During his career, he has 
served in a wide variety of assignments, including Police Academy 
Director, Internal Affairs Commander, and Special Operations Commander. 
In 2012, he was promoted to Deputy Chief of Police and is currently the 
commander of the Bureau of Field Operations for West Oakland. Deputy 
Chief Downing also served concurrently with OPD's Special Weapons and 
Tactics team from 1992 to 2011 as an operator, team leader, and 
tactical commander.
  In addition to serving the citizens of Oakland, Deputy Chief Downing 
served the United States of America as an Air Force Reservist from 1984 
to 2014. He retired as a Chief Master Sergeant with the Air Force 
Office of Special Investigations as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 
4th Field Investigative Region, at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas. In 
2001, he was mobilized into active duty and served in Operation Noble 
Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom until his return to civilian 
law enforcement in 2003.
  Deputy Chief Downing received his Bachelor's Degree in Administration 
of Justice from San Jose State University in 1989, and went on to 
graduate from Indiana State University in 2008 with a Master's Degree 
in Criminology. He is also the graduate of several senior management 
programs, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National 
Academy, the Police Executive Research Forum's Senior Management 
Institute for Police, and the California Peace Officer Standards and 
Training Executive Development Course.
  Throughout his career, Deputy Chief Downing has maintained a special 
interest in and relationship with Oakland's Chinatown. He serves the 
Oakland and Chinatown communities as a member of the Board of Directors 
of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, the President of the 
Oakland Police Foundation, President of the Oakland Police Managers 
Association, Chairman of the Asian Advisory Committee on Crime, 
Chairman of the Asian Youth Services Committee (AYSC), Chairperson of 
the AYSC Scholarship Dinner, and has raised funds and manpower to send 
low-income youth to various camps and seminars across the nation.
  On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional 
District, Deputy Chief David E. Downing, I salute him. I thank him for 
a lifetime of service and congratulate him on his achievements. I wish 
him and his loved ones the very best as he enjoys his well-deserved 
retirement.

                          ____________________