[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20521]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING JACKSON POLICE CHIEF RICK STAPLES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 31, 2009

  Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Rick Staples, a 
long-time public servant who will retire as Chief of the Jackson Police 
Department on September 18. Under Chief Staples, the Jackson Police 
Department has dedicatedly served our community, and his leadership has 
proven to be an example for both veterans and new officers alike.
  Rick Staples was born and raised in Madison County, which I am 
honored to represent in this Chamber. After graduating from Jackson 
High School in 1970, he attended college at Jackson State Community 
College before graduating from the prestigious Northwestern University 
Police Administration training program.
  Following his graduation from the Northwestern University Police 
Administration training program, he attained the rank of lieutenant and 
worked his way up through the ranks until, on October 12, 1989, Rick 
was promoted to Chief of Police, a position he has held ever since.
  During his tenure serving West Tennessee, our law enforcement 
professionals have seen sweeping changes, from the computerization of 
records to the complete restructuring of the department. Chief Staples 
has managed a staff of 253 employees, an annual budget of more than $15 
million and been responsible for providing police services to a 
population of more than 62,000 residents. He helped create the Gang 
Task Force and Violent Crimes Task Force as well as start the first 
Citizen's Police Academy in Tennessee.
  Among Chief Staples' proudest accomplishments is the partnership 
developed between the police department and our community. In 1994, the 
city council called for a crime summit between the officers and the 
residents of Jackson. The result was the establishment of the Community 
Policing Program, which has allowed for the relationship between the 
officers and the community to continue to grow, something in which 
Chief Staples takes tremendous pride.
  In addition to his service to the Jackson Police Department, Chief 
Staples has volunteered as a Critical Incident Debriefer for the 
Tennessee Public Safety Network as well as a personal security guard 
for celebrities at high-profile, local events such as the Cerebral 
Palsy Telethon and the Miss Tennessee Pageant.
  Chief Staples' retirement is not an end to his service to the public. 
He has found a new challenge, accepting a position with a security firm 
located in Baghdad, Iraq. I trust that he will perform his new job with 
the same dedication, professionalism and perseverance as he has in his 
current position.
  Madam Speaker, I have long been proud to call Ricky Staples my 
friend. I thank you and our colleagues for joining me in expressing 
gratitude for his service protecting West Tennessee families, 
congratulating him on his retirement, and wishing him the best as he 
begins an exciting and important opportunity.

                          ____________________