Introduced By: Senators Connors, Issa, Oster and Badeau
Date Introduced : April 29, 1997
Referred To: Read and Passed
WHEREAS, Chief Leonard T. Ditano, known as "Lenny" to his many friends, colleagues and admirers, was born in Middleboro, Massachusetts, and is the son of Dorothy Sliney and late Leonard N. Ditano. Educated in the Middleboro and Hyannis School Systems. Chief Ditano is a distinguished graduate of Salve Regina College in Newport, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice in 1977; and
WHEREAS, Chief Leonard Ditano served his country as a Petty Officer 3rd Class Ordinance Man and Flight Crew member, in Patrol Squadron Seven, while stationed at Jacksonville Naval Air Base in Florida from 1963 to 1966; and
WHEREAS, Appointed to the Cumberland Police Department on January 23, 1971, Mr. Ditano was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1982, and attained the rank of Commander in 1987. His well-deserved reputation as a fair and conscientious administrator, as well as his abiding commitment to crime prevention, earned him his appointment to Chief of Police on January 14, 1990; and
WHEREAS, Chief Ditano's dedication to professionalism and excellence, in both is private and public lives, have earned him civic awards throughout his tenure as Chief of Police. These accolades include: 1992 Man of the Year from the Portuguese Continental Union; the Peter J. Pimental Sr. Seven Castles Man of the Year Award for 1993; the 1994 Cumberland Substance Abuse Task Force Person of the Year Award; the 1995 Cumberland Business Association Distinguished Citizen Award; and, selection as the 1995 Grand Marshal for the Day of Portugal Club Juventude Lusitania celebration; and
WHEREAS, An honored member of the Portuguese Continental Union Lodge #12 "Lusitania" of Valley Falls, Rhode Island, and a past member and Treasurer of the Cumberland FOP Lodge #14, Chief Ditano is also a member of several other civic and professional organizations including: The Seven Castles Club of Blackstone Valley, the Board of Trustees of the Cumberland-Lincoln Boys and Girls Club, the Cumberland Substance Abuse Task Force, the New England Police Chiefs Association, the International Association of Police Chiefs and the Rhode Island Chiefs of Police Association; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his superb career in law enforcement, Chief Leonard T. Ditano has consistently proven his strength, stamina and commitment to protecting the Town of Cumberland and all of its citizens, thereby earning the unqualified admiration and respect of his colleagues and the people he has served so well for more than 26 years; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby congratulates Cumberland Police Chief Leonard T. Ditano on his retirement, and wishes the Chief and his family: bride, Barbara (Mihalic) Ditano; daughters, Sheri Provencal of Johnston and Dawn Ditano of Plainville, Massachusetts; and his two grandsons, Louis and Alexander Provencal, continued happiness, success and fulfillment in all future endeavors, including the Chief's new position with the Cumberland School Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to retiring Cumberland Chief of Police, Leonard T. Ditano.