2021 -- H 6227

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING CENTRAL FALLS POLICE CHIEF, COLONEL ANTHONY ROBERSON, ON

BEING THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN POLICE COLONEL IN RHODE ISLAND AND

THANKING HIM FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF EXEMPLARY AND DISTINGUISHED

PUBLIC SERVICE

     Introduced By: Representatives Biah, Hull, Giraldo, Batista, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
Williams, Felix, Kennedy, and Fogarty

     Date Introduced: April 13, 2021

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Central Falls Police Chief, Colonel Anthony Roberson, began his

distinguished public safety career in 2002, as a Patrol Officer with the Providence Police

Department. During his exemplary and distinguished career with the Police Department, Chief

Roberson served in numerous capacities including as a member of the Patrol Bureau, UCR/IBR

Coordinator, a member of the Neighborhood Response Team Task Force, School Resource

Officer, Sergeant, Commanding Officer of the Records Bureau, Detective in the Youth Service

Division, the Juvenile Hearing Board liaison, and instructed on cultural competency and diversity

for the Police Academy; and

     WHEREAS, Chief Roberson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from

Bellevue University, a Master of Science degree from Boston University in Criminal Justice with

a Concentration in Strategic Management, a Post-Master’s degree in education and a Doctorate

degree in education. He is also a graduate of the Harvard University Kennedy School of

Executive Education, Cornell University Women in Leadership program, Harvard University

Extension School in Effective Organizational Communication, Roger Williams University

Leadership Development and Organizational Learning in Policing, and is a graduate of the

University of Louisville Southern Police Institute’s Chief Executive Law Enforcement Program.

He is also a State certified teacher in Criminal Justice; and

     WHEREAS, Since becoming the Police Chief of Central Falls in early January, 2021,

Chief Roberson has made a positive impact in his short tenure. He implemented several award

winning community policing efforts including the "Handshake Initiative", "Shop with a Cop", the

"Bicycle Summer Safety Program", and the "Leading Ladies Initiative", all of which have

significantly improved relations between the Central Falls Police Department and the surrounding

community. Chief Roberson also plans on being a very visible Police Chief and remaining in

constant contact with the community by visiting schools and community organizations, and

simply walking the streets and getting to interact as much as possible with the people of Central

Falls; and

     WHEREAS, Colonel Roberson has received numerous accolades throughout his

distinguished public service career. He was the first person in Rhode Island to be selected to

receive the United States Department of Justice Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished

Service in Community Policing. He is also the recipient of the Jefferson Award for Public

Service, is an inductee into the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Hall of Fame for the City of

Providence, is an awardee of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association for Community

Policing, is a recipient of the NAACP Medgar Evers Award, and the President George H. W.

Bush Point of Light Award, and was selected as one of the "Men Who Make a Difference" by the

Women’s Resource Center. Chief Roberson also serves on the Board of Directors for the

Sojourner House, an agency that combats domestic violence, and is also a Board member of the

Paramedic Advisors for Roger Williams University; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

honors Central Falls Police Chief, Colonel Anthony Roberson, on being the first African-

American Police Colonel in Rhode Island and thanks him for his many years of exemplary and

distinguished public service, we further extend our sincere best wishes for his future endeavors in

the City of Central Falls; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Colonel Anthony Roberson, Police Chief,

Central Falls.

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