LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Ulster County Family Violence Inves-
tigation Unit upon the occasion of receiving the Police Chief's Associ-
ation of Ulster County's Meritorious Police Service - Team/Unit Award on
May 8, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
those distinguished officers and citizens who would devote themselves to
public service, demonstrating great courage and diligence in providing
for the care and welfare of the citizens of their communities and this
great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York, there are
certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
command the respect and admiration of their community for their exem-
plary contributions and service on behalf of others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the Ulster
County Family Violence Investigation Unit upon the occasion of receiving
the Police Chief's Association of Ulster County's Meritorious Police
Service - Team/Unit Award at its Law Enforcement Awards Banquet to be
held at the Hillside Manor in Kingston, New York, on Friday, May 8,
2009; and
WHEREAS, The Ulster County Family Violence Investigation Unit combines
the experience, resources and skills of the Department of Social
Services, Law Enforcement, and the District Attorney's Office in order
to provide comprehensive investigations and prosecutions in cases of
child abuse and neglect and domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, A creative initiative which clearly exemplifies interagency
collaboration, the Family Violence Investigative Unit was developed in
1995 in response to an alarming increase in domestic violence cases
resulting in murder/suicides in Ulster County, and in recognition of the
fact that the system in place at that time was not adequate to meet the
complex need for high quality investigations; and
WHEREAS, The Family Violence Unit currently investigates allegations
of child sexual abuse, serious physical injury to a child, child fatali-
ties, and domestic violence within the family unit; and
WHEREAS, During the period January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008,
Ulster County received 1,905 reports from the State Central Registry for
Child Abuse and Maltreatment; the Family Violence Unit investigated a
total of 512 reports, including 207 reports with allegations of sexual
abuse, 52 reports with allegations of serious physical abuse, two fatal-
ities, and 251 reports of domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, Its Law Enforcement members are Senior Investigator Jim
McKoy; Investigators Benjamin Cooper, New York State Police; Robert
Keller of the Kingston Police Department; David Kimble of the Ulster
Police Department; and Abram Markiewicz of the Ulster County Sheriff's
Office; and
WHEREAS, The Ulster County Department of Social Services' members of
the Family Violence Investigation Unit include: Senior Caseworker Denise
Timbrouck and Caseworkers Timothy Crispell, Rebecca Flynn, Willis Forla-
ni, Heidi Neal, and Patricia Steyer; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those dedicated
public servants, such as the members of the Ulster County Family
Violence Investigation Unit, 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
honor the Ulster County Family Violence Investigation Unit upon the

occasion of receiving the Police Chief's Association of Ulster County's
Meritorious Police Service-Team/Unit Award on May 8, 2009; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the aforementioned members of the Ulster County Family
Violence Investigation Unit.