LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Gary Miguel upon the occasion of his
retirement as Chief of Police for the Syracuse Police Department

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those illustrious individuals of distinguished purpose whose
lives have been committed to the pursuit of excellence and who bring
great pride to the citizens of our great State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor
Gary Miguel upon the occasion of his retirement as Chief of Police for
the Syracuse Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Gary Miguel graduated summa cum laude with an Associate's
degree from Onondaga Community College in 1971, and graduated magna cum
laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University in
1973; and
WHEREAS, In September of 1973, Gary Miguel began his illustrious
36-year-career with the Syracuse Police Department when he was sworn in
as a Police Officer, after enrolling and graduating from the Municipal
Police Academy; and
WHEREAS, From 1974 to 1980, Gary Miguel participated in the first
community policing project within the Syracuse Police Department as a
member of the Crime Control Team, served as an undercover investigator
as part of the Organized Crime Division, and researched and implemented
grants as a member of the Grant Development Division; and
WHEREAS, In 1980, he was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant; in
this capacity he served as Supervising Sergeant of the Patrol Division
and Supervising Investigative Sergeant of the Criminal Investigations
Division and Special Investigations Division; and
WHEREAS, He was promoted to Police Lieutenant in 1986, where he served
as Commanding Officer of the Community Relations Division; he also held
the position of Command Lieutenant of the Southwest Zone Patrol Divi-
sion, Directed Patrol Division, and the Neighborhood Anti-Crime Unit,
where he initiated and organized the first uniform street level drug
interdiction unit; and
WHEREAS, In 1990, Gary Miguel was promoted to the rank of Police
Captain, where he served as Commanding Officer of Special Investigations
Division, overseeing narcotics, vice, and intelligence operations within
the City of Syracuse until he was promoted in 2001 to the rank of Deputy
Chief of Police, where he served as Chief of Detectives, Investigations
Bureau; and
WHEREAS, Gary Miguel was promoted to the rank of First Deputy Chief of
Police in 2004, and then to Chief of Police in March of 2005; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his 36-year-career with the Syracuse
Police Department, Gary Miguel has been the recipient of numerous awards
for his service, including two P.B.A. Medals of Valor awards, the 1986
United Way Outstanding Achievement Award, the New York State Jaycees
Outstanding New Yorker Award in 1991, 15 police commendations for excel-
lence in law enforcement, Alumni Faces Honoree from Onondaga Community
College, and the 2007 Vietnam Veterans of America Citizen of the Year
Award; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his service as a member of the Syracuse Police
Department, Gary Miguel serves his community by participating in multi-
ple organizations, including the Onondaga County Chiefs of Police,
Central New York Chiefs of Police, New York State Chiefs of Police,
International Association of Chiefs of Police, Kids Win, Weed and Seed
Community Partnership, Operation Impact Partnership, and Violence Inter-
vention and Prevention Program; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his 36-year-career, Gary Miguel's efforts have
resulted in an enhanced and more efficient Syracuse Police Department,
and have made Syracuse a safer city for all its residents; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Gary Miguel upon the occasion of his retirement as Chief of Police
for the Syracuse Police Department, and to wish him well in all of his
future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Syracuse Police Chief Gary Miguel.