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Proclamation commending Chief Thomas D. Devin for his 37 years of dedicated service to the Collier Township Police Department.
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WHEREAS, Chief Thomas D. Devin began his law enforcement career with the Collier Township Police Department as a patrolman on April 1, 1977, after being honorably discharged from active duty with the rank of Corporal in the U.S. Army; and
WHEREAS, Chief Devin was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1995, became Acting Chief in 2006, and in 2007, he was promoted to Chief of Police; and
WHEREAS, Chief Devin attended the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, obtained certification with POSIT (Police Supervisor In-Service Training Program), POLEX (Police Executive Development Training Program), Crime Prevention Officer and became a certified instructor for the Allegheny County Police Academy; He also obtained many hours of specialized training in Firearms, Terrorism and Hazardous Materials; and
WHEREAS, upon his promotion as Chief, he steered the Collier Township Police Department through a period of progressive modernization, including the issuance of updated department rules and regulations, installation of mobile data terminals in patrol vehicles, and a complete audit of the property and evidence rooms. Under Chief Devin's leadership, the department experienced a change in structure, with Sergeants being promoted and assigned to each shift; and
WHEREAS, during Chief Devin's tenure, the department added multiple pieces of equipment through various grant programs, such as the utility task vehicle, night vision equipment, and a thermal imaging camera. He oversaw the establishment of the department's less-lethal program and the issuance of TASERS to each officer. Chief Devin implemented a firearms program and in-house qualifications and tactical training, including active shooter response certification for the entire department; and
WHEREAS, in August 2009, Chief Devin and his department were honored for their performance during the LA Fitness shooting; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, Chief Devin oversaw the creation of the School Resource Officer Program in the Chartiers Valley School District, and he previously worked in the district as a DARE officer; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, the Collier Township Police Department along with the Chartiers Valley School District were recognized by the National Association of School Resource Officers as a model agency; and
WHEREAS, Chief Devin is a member of the Allegheny County Chiefs of Police Association, Southwestern Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police and Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Allegheny County Council, on behalf of the citizens of Allegheny County, hereby commends Chief Devin for his 37 years of dedicated service to Collier Township, and we wish him all the best upon the occasion of his retirement. His impact on this community, and his commitment to Allegheny County and its citizens, serves as an inspiration to us all.