[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 26, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING POLICE CHIEF MANJIT SAPPAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 26, 2022

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with 
Congressman John Garamendi, to honor Chief Manjit Sappal as he retires 
from his outstanding, six-year service as the Chief of Police for the 
city of Martinez, California.
  Born in the United Kingdom, Chief Sappal and his family immigrated to 
the United States in 1981 and settled in the Bay Area, where he has 
lived ever since. In the late 1990s, Chief Sappal began his 26-year-
long career in law enforcement as a police officer in Pittsburg, 
California. Later, he moved to the Richmond Police Department, where he 
worked for 18 years and became a captain. While working as a police 
officer, Mr. Sappal graduated from Golden Gate University with highest 
honors, earning a master's degree in public administration. He also 
graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy and the Police 
Executive Research Forum's Senior Management Institute for Police.
  Chief Sappal's rigorous work ethic and impressive credentials 
propelled him to the office of Chief of Police of Martinez in 2015, a 
position from which he retired from on March 17, 2022. Throughout his 
career in law enforcement, Chief Sappal has worked in several 
positions. From Homicide Investigator to Guns and Gang Detective, he 
has always put himself on the line to make his community safer. While 
these experiences were memorable, Chief Sappal considers his time as 
Chief of Police, working with an amazing, high-performing team, to be 
the highlight of his career. Chief Sappal's service extends beyond law 
enforcement. As a member of the Contra Costa Council for Homelessness 
and the Martinez Rotary and Kiwanis, Chief Sappal has worked hard to 
maintain trust with the community and keep the public safe.
  After retirement, Chief Sappal looks forward to spending more time 
with his wife, Tina, and their two teenage children, Alexis Lily and 
Andrew Tyler. While the people of Martinez will miss his excellent 
police work and leadership, the sense of empathy and compassion he 
established in the community will last a lifetime.
  Madam Speaker, it is evident that Chief Manjit Sappal has served our 
community through his exceptional career in law enforcement. Therefore, 
it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

                          ____________________