LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Kingston Police Department, the
Ulster County Sheriff's Office URGENT Team, the Ulster County District
Attorney's Office and the New York State Police CNET Team upon the occa-
sion of receiving a Police Chiefs Association of Ulster County's Merito-
rious Police Service-Police Team Unit Award on May 5, 2013

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
those distinguished officers and citizens who 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 Kingston
Police Department, the Ulster County Sheriff's Office URGENT Team, the
Ulster County District Attorney's Office and the New York State Police
CNET Team upon the occasion of receiving a Police Chiefs Association of
Ulster County's Meritorious Police Service -Police Team Unit Award at
its Law Enforcement Awards Banquet which was held at the Diamond Mills
and Tavern in Saugerties, New York on May 5, 2013; and
WHEREAS, After a gang related murder to prevent a witness from testi-
fying, Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright decided it was
time for a major undercover drug/gang investigation, which became known
as Operation Clean Sweep; and
WHEREAS, DA Carnright enlisted the Kingston Police Department's newly
created Special Investigations Unit, the county-wide Ulster Regional
Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (URGENT) and the New York State Police
Community Enforcement Narcotics Team (CNET) for the investigation; and
WHEREAS, Armed with seasoned investigators and an undercover opera-
tive, the teams set out to identify their targets; using trusted confi-
dential informants and cutting edge classified technology, they set to
work, and, beginning in the summer of 2011 through March 2012 the task-
force carried out 207 separate undercover drug buys; and
WHEREAS, Rather than moving in for quick and easy arrests, the task-
force was patient and built its cases for presentation to a grand jury,
knowing that a drug dealer selling to an undercover agent on multiple
occasions makes a much stronger case than does a single transaction; and
WHEREAS, By March 2012 the taskforce had assembled cases against 80
drug dealers; and, with a successful marathon grand jury session and
sealed indictments in hand, they set out to conduct the round-up; and
WHEREAS, On March 31, 2012, raid teams descended on the City of King-
ston and surrounding towns and arrested dozens of the accused and seized
three illegal guns during their sweep; and
WHEREAS, As a result of the long days and nights put in by the task-
force to clean their streets and neighborhoods, over the next month, 78
of the original 80 drug dealers were convicted; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that 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 the Kingston Police Department, the Ulster County Sheriff's Office
URGENT Team, the Ulster County District Attorney's Office and the New
York State Police CNET Team on receiving a Police Chiefs Association of

Ulster County's Meritorious Police Service-Police Team Unit Award on May
5, 2013; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Kingston Police Department, the Ulster County Sheriff's
Office URGENT Team, the Ulster County District Attorney's Office and the
New York State Police CNET Team.