LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Colonel John P. Melville upon the occa-
sion of his retirement from the New York State Police

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 Colonel John
P. Melville upon the occasion of his retirement from the New York State
Police, to be observed at a retirement celebration on Thursday, March 8,
2012 at Anthony's Pier 9 in New Windsor, New York; and
WHEREAS, A 30-year veteran of the New York State Police, Colonel John
P. Melville began his career with the New York State Police following
his graduation from the New York State Police Academy in 1981, as a
Trooper assigned to Troop F in Middletown, New York; and
WHEREAS, Colonel John P. Melville served as a road Trooper and SCUBA
diver prior to his promotion to Sergeant in 1985, when he was assigned
to Troop D in Syracuse; and
WHEREAS, In 1986, Colonel John P. Melville was appointed to the posi-
tion of Investigator and assigned to the New York Drug Enforcement Task
Force in New York City; and
WHEREAS, While assigned to the Task Force, Colonel John P. Melville
worked in a group which targeted members of the Cali Cartel; and
WHEREAS, In 1989, Colonel John P. Melville was promoted to the rank of
Lieutenant in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and assigned to Divi-
sion Headquarters in Albany where he wrote policy and procedure manuals
for a new narcotics program being developed by the New York State Police
called CNET - Community Narcotic Enforcement Team, a street-level
narcotics enforcement strategy aimed at assisting local police depart-
ments with open air drug market enforcement; and
WHEREAS, Colonel John P. Melville transferred from Headquarters back
to the field operations in 1990 and commanded the Hudson Valley CNET
Office upon its creation; and
WHEREAS, In 1992, Colonel John P. Melville was promoted and assigned
as the Captain-Deputy Chief of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force
in New York City; he remained in this position until 1996, when he
transferred back to Troop F to become the BCI Captain in charge of all
investigations; and
WHEREAS, In August of 2001, Colonel John P. Melville was promoted to
the position of Major-Troop Commander of all New York State Police oper-
ations in New York City; he led the New York State Police response
following the attacks of September 11, 2001, and eventually transferred
back to Troop F to assume the position of Troop Commander there; and
WHEREAS, Colonel John P. Melville served as the Assistant Deputy
Superintendent Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) where he led the
non-uniform investigating members of the New York State Police statewide
before being promoted to Colonel and assigned as the head of the New
York State Police Internal Affairs Bureau; and
WHEREAS, In April of 2008, Colonel John P. Melville assumed the duties
of Deputy Superintendent-Field Command, his current position, overseeing
the operations of the Uniform Force, the Bureau of Criminal Investi-
gation and the Office of Counter Terrorism; and

WHEREAS, Colonel John P. Melville has a Master's Degree in Criminal
Justice and is a graduate of both the FBI Academy and the DEA Drug Unit
Commanders' School; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Monica, and their
three children, Amy, Kathleen and John, Jr., all of whom feel privileged
to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those dedicated
public servants 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 Colonel John P. Melville upon the occasion of his retirement from
the New York State Police; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Colonel John P. Melville.