[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9548]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNITION OF THE COALINGA POLICE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 2017

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Coalinga 
Police Department, and honor the Ninetieth Anniversary of its founding.
  In 1927, the Coalinga Police Department was established to serve and 
protect the City of Coalinga, California, located in the Pleasant 
Valley of Western Fresno County, and its 2,900 residents. At the time 
of its formation, the Department consisted of two officers and operated 
under Coalinga's first Police Chief, Walter Hayes. Since its humble 
beginnings, both the Police Department and the City of Coalinga have 
grown exponentially. Today, the Coalinga Police Department has a total 
of thirty-one sworn officers, a twenty-four hours a day dispatch 
center, and serves approximately 18,000 citizens.
  While the Police Department has grown immensely in the last ninety 
years, it's commitment to public safety has remained constant. The 
force has continued to provide a safe and peaceful environment in the 
city through effective and impartial law enforcement. From body camera 
implementation and advanced investigative techniques to cannabis 
regulation, the department strives to be on the cutting edge of law 
enforcement tactics and services. They are also committed to meeting 
the needs of residents and businesses through active participation and 
community partnerships. The Coalinga Police Department hosts annual 
community events including blood drives, animal vaccination clinics, 
and Christmas toy drives. The Department provides security detail 
services at Coalinga City and Chamber of Commerce events, such as the 
Coalinga Horned Toad Derby, an event that has brought visitors to the 
City for the past eighty-two years. This strategy encourages a stronger 
partnership between the community and the Police Department.
  Additionally, the Coalinga Police Department prides itself on being 
the first Police Department in the State of California to have a female 
Police Chief. Chief Luella ``Kay'' Holloway was the first female law 
enforcement executive to be appointed by Governor Edmund G. Brown in 
1975 to chair the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. 
In acknowledgement of the contributions made to ensure the safety and 
betterment of its local residents, the Coalinga Police Department was 
presented with the Community Service Award from the Coalinga Chamber of 
Commerce. The Police Department has continued to exemplify 
extraordinary service to the People of Coalinga over the past nineteen 
years, and their bravery is worthy of recognition.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in recognizing the Coalinga Police Department on their 
Ninetieth Anniversary and wish them another ninety years of success in 
serving the community.

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