LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Deborah A. Petersen upon the occasion of
her designation as the recipient of a Civilian Employee Recognition
Award at the 36th Annual New York State Police Awards Day Ceremony on
May 17, 2012

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished
values, worthy of safeguarding; this Legislative Body is moved to honor
those who help to preserve and protect such values, lauding particularly
their unwavering dedication in the daily performance of their duties;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Deborah A. Petersen, of New York State Police Headquarters, upon the
occasion of her designation as the recipient of a Civilian Employee
Recognition Award; and
WHEREAS, Deborah A. Petersen received the award in recognition of her
outstanding work at the 36th Annual State Police Awards Day Ceremony,
held at the New York State Police Academy in Albany on Thursday, May 17,
2012; and
WHEREAS, Deborah A. Petersen is a dedicated employee with thirty-two
years of service with the New York State Police; she has been assigned
to the Communications and Telecommunications disciplines for twenty-four
years, beginning as a Communications Specialist in 1984; and
WHEREAS, In 1988, Deborah A. Petersen was promoted to Telecommuni-
cations Specialist 1 and was assigned to the Telephone Services Unit in
Division Headquarters; she was designated the Unit's Supervisor in 1994
and was formally promoted to her current title of Telecommunications
Analyst 3 in 1999; and
WHEREAS, The Telephone Services Unit is responsible for the 24/7
management of the Division's voice telecommunications network, serving
hundreds of State Police facilities and special operations Statewide;
the Telephone Services Unit also provides technical support to various
New York State Police special details, including the Homeland Security
and Counter Terrorism Units; and
WHEREAS, As evidenced by her numerous letters of commendation and
appreciation, Deborah A. Petersen has earned a distinguished reputation
of providing invaluable telecommunications support to State Police
projects and initiatives; and
WHEREAS, Most notable is her ability to coordinate and provide vital
telecommunications services during after-hours emergencies and critical
command post operations, many times in locations and regions where tele-
phone service has been lost or is otherwise non-existent; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Petersen's knowledge of Division of State Police oper-
ations, coupled with her technical expertise and excellent rapport with
the telecommunications carrier and vendor community have proven time and
time again to be an invaluable and vital asset during emergencies and
critical incidents; and
WHEREAS, As Unit Supervisor, Deborah A. Petersen continually strives
to develop and implement new technologies and to ensure that the latest
features and functionality required in a public safety work environment
are provided, which can be particularly challenging, given the fast-
paced and ever-evolving nature of the telecommunications industry; and
WHEREAS, Most recently, under her direction, a number of Division
telephone systems were upgraded to achieve VOIP (Voice Over Internet
Protocol) capability, a pro-active upgrade that will enable the Division
to move to a VOIP platform in a more efficient and cost effective manner

in the future, while providing a number of technology system features to
system users today; and
WHEREAS, Similarly, Deborah A. Petersen's New York State Police state-
wide voice services evaluation and carrier transition initiative has
resulted in improved telephone service, reliability and network redun-
dancy while substantially reducing the agency's annual voice circuit
cost expenditures; and
WHEREAS, In keeping with the finest traditions of the New York State
Police, Deborah A. Petersen has distinguished herself by her exemplary
service, dedication, and outstanding performance on behalf of the Divi-
sion; and
WHEREAS, The dedicated efforts of public servants, such as Deborah A.
Petersen, are worthy of the full praise of this Legislative Body and the
people of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Deborah A. Petersen upon the occasion of her designation as the
recipient of a Civilian Employee Recognition Award at the 36th Annual
New York State Police Awards Day Ceremony on May 17, 2012; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Deborah A. Petersen.