2025 -- H 5412

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING CRANSTON POLICE CHIEF COLONEL MICHAEL J. WINQUIST

ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE RHODE ISLAND CRIMINAL JUSTICE HALL OF FAME,

CLASS OF 2024

     Introduced By: Representatives Lima, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Fascia, Handy,
Paplauskas, Chippendale, Bennett, Potter, and McNamara

     Date Introduced: February 11, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Cranston Police Chief Michael J. Winquist began his distinguished and

exemplary law enforcement career 35 years ago when he became a member of the Rhode Island

State Police. For twenty-four years, Chief Winquist served the citizens of Rhode Island as a State

Trooper with tireless devotion, abiding integrity, superior crime-solving skills and great courage,

retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel/Deputy Superintendent; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout his stellar career with the Rhode Island State Police, Chief

Winquist always exhibited strong leadership skills and a tenacious desire to protect the citizens of

our State, while working in nearly every Division within the Rhode Island State Police including

the Uniform Division, Area Detectives, Narcotics Unit, Providence Police Gang Task Force,

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Task Force and Motorcycle Team;

and

     WHEREAS, During his tenure with the Rhode Island State Police, Chief Winquist led

many important investigations targeting organized crime groups and activities, which resulted in

the arrests of many of those individuals as well as the forfeiture of large assets attained from their

criminal activities. Thanks to Chief Winquist, many dangerous criminals have been taken off the

streets of Rhode Island, making our neighborhoods much safer in which to live, work and raise a

family; and

     WHEREAS, In 2006, Chief Winquist was tasked with developing the State of Rhode

Island’s Fusion Center, which still continues to play a vital role in protecting Rhode Island from

domestic and international threats by sharing intelligence amongst Federal, State and local law

enforcement partners. In recognition of his outstanding work, Chief Winquist has received

numerous commendations and letters of recognition for his exemplary police work; and

     WHEREAS, Since October 1, 2014, Chief Winquist has served as the twenty-first Chief

of Police of the City of Cranston. Under his leadership, he has introduced numerous successful

reforms that have improved public safety in Cranston, and he has been a pioneer in the use of

license-reading systems in local law enforcement; and

     WHEREAS, Chief Winquist graduated from Roger Williams University with a Bachelor

of Science Degree in the Administration of Justice, and a Master of Science Degree in the

Administration of Justice from Anna Maria University. Chief Winquist also graduated from the

2012/251st session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) National Academy in Quantico,

Virginia; and

     WHEREAS, Chief Winquist is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of

Police, New England Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Rhode Island Police Chiefs

Association, where he currently serves as Secretary on the Executive Board. In 2018, Chief

Winquist was appointed to serve on the Rhode Island Police Officers Commission on Standards

and Training, and in 2019 he was appointed to the State of Rhode Island 9-1-1 Advisory

Committee. Chief Winquist also serves on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Rhode

Island; now, therefore be it

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

congratulates Cranston Police Chief Michael J. Winquist on his induction into the Rhode Island

Criminal Justice Hall of Fame, Class of 2024. We furthermore thank him for his exemplary

thirty-five year law enforcement career protecting the people and property of the State of Rhode

Island and the City of Cranston; 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 Cranston Police Chief, Colonel Michael J.

Winquist.

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