Honor NYPD Deputy Chief Promotion

Senate Resolution No. 3425 BY: Senator BONACIC CONGRATULATING Ruel R. Stephenson upon the occasion of being promoted to Deputy Chief of the City of New York Police Department WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished values, worthy of safeguarding, and this Legislative Body is moved to honor those individuals who serve to preserve and protect such values, lauding particularly their unwavering courage and dedication in the daily performance of their duties; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Ruel R. Stephenson upon the occasion of being promoted to Deputy Chief of the City of New York Police Department, to be celebrated with a Promotion Gala on Friday, January 19, 2018; and WHEREAS, Ruel R. Stephenson graduated from Xavarian High School in

1988, before spending two years at the College of St. Rose in Albany, New York, where he played Division 3 basketball; he went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2003; and WHEREAS, After his successful completion of the Police Academy, Ruel R. Stephenson joined the New York City Police Department as a Police Officer with the 70th Precinct in East Flatbush, the community in which he was raised; and WHEREAS, With his hard work and ambition, Officer Ruel R. Stephenson quickly elevated through the ranks; he successfully passed three competitive exams and was promoted to Sergeant on September 29, 2000, to Lieutenant on November 23, 2004, and to Captain on December 23, 2008; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, on September 22, 2010, he was assigned as Commanding Officer of the 30th Precinct, and on October 31, 2011, he received a Discretionary promotion to Deputy Inspector; two years later, on April 7, 2013, he was assigned as the Commanding Officer of the 47th Precinct, and on November 25, 2014, he was promoted to Inspector; and WHEREAS, During his illustrious tenure as Commanding Officer in the 30th and 47th Precincts, Ruel R. Stephenson shared a genuine bond with the community, demonstrating a commitment to reduce crime, and improve the quality of life for all residents while maintaining a level of respect and trust; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to local youth, this exceptional public servant was instrumental in the development of the West Harlem Empowerment Coalition (WHEC) to achieve greater youth involvement and cooperation in creating a better quality of life; and WHEREAS, Ruel R. Stephenson prides himself in fostering one of the strongest and most committed Precinct Clergy programs in Patrol Borough Manhattan North and the Patrol Borough Bronx; and WHEREAS, Additionally, Ruel R. Stephenson established a program entitled Building Bridges, designed to foster a more trusting relationship between community members and police personnel within the 47th Precinct; and WHEREAS, Utilizing the community as a resource, he organized several outreach programs geared at assisting disadvantaged families and improving community police relations including the 47th Precinct's Back to School Giveaway, Turkey Giveaway, Annual Toy Drive, Annual Senior Dinner, and the Memorial 5k Run, as well as Call 2 Duty, a police officer youth mentorship group, and Shoot Hoops Not Youth, a basketball tournament between police officers and local gang/crew members; and WHEREAS, Under his able leadership and as a result of the implementation of these various programs and other crime fighting strategies, the 47th Precinct reported a record low in overall violence in 2015; and WHEREAS, A dedicated and disciplined officer, Ruel R. Stephenson serves the City of New York Police Department with loyalty, honor and distinction, earning him the admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Andrea, and their three children, Dyondra, Jenaye and Ruel, Jr., who have all shown him love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those dedicated public servants who unselfishly devote their lives to the preservation of order and the protection of others are worthy and due full praise for their commitment and noble endeavors; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate Ruel R. Stephenson upon the occasion of being promoted to Deputy Chief of the City of New York Police Department; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Deputy Chief Ruel R. Stephenson.