Senate Resolution No. 3425

BY: Senator BONACIC

CONGRATULATING Ruel R. Stephenson upon the
occasion of being promoted to Deputy Chief of the
City of New York Police Department

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished
values, worthy of safeguarding, and this Legislative Body is moved to
honor those individuals who serve to preserve and protect such values,
lauding particularly their unwavering courage and dedication in the
daily performance of their duties; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Ruel
R. Stephenson upon the occasion of being promoted to Deputy Chief of
the City of New York Police Department, to be celebrated with a
Promotion Gala on Friday, January 19, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Ruel R. Stephenson graduated from Xavarian High School in
1988, before spending two years at the College of St. Rose in Albany,
New York, where he played Division 3 basketball; he went on to graduate
with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay
College of Criminal Justice in 2003; and

WHEREAS, After his successful completion of the Police Academy, Ruel
R. Stephenson joined the New York City Police Department as a Police
Officer with the 70th Precinct in East Flatbush, the community in which
he was raised; and

WHEREAS, With his hard work and ambition, Officer Ruel R. Stephenson
quickly elevated through the ranks; he successfully passed three
competitive exams and was promoted to Sergeant on September 29, 2000, to
Lieutenant on November 23, 2004, and to Captain on December 23, 2008;
and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, on September 22, 2010, he was assigned as
Commanding Officer of the 30th Precinct, and on October 31, 2011, he
received a Discretionary promotion to Deputy Inspector; two years later,
on April 7, 2013, he was assigned as the Commanding Officer of the 47th
Precinct, and on November 25, 2014, he was promoted to Inspector; and

WHEREAS, During his illustrious tenure as Commanding Officer in the
30th and 47th Precincts, Ruel R. Stephenson shared a genuine bond with
the community, demonstrating a commitment to reduce crime, and improve
the quality of life for all residents while maintaining a level of
respect and trust; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to local youth,
this exceptional public servant was instrumental in the development of
the West Harlem Empowerment Coalition (WHEC) to achieve greater youth
involvement and cooperation in creating a better quality of life; and

WHEREAS, Ruel R. Stephenson prides himself in fostering one of the
strongest and most committed Precinct Clergy programs in Patrol Borough
Manhattan North and the Patrol Borough Bronx; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, Ruel R. Stephenson established a program
entitled Building Bridges, designed to foster a more trusting
relationship between community members and police personnel within the
47th Precinct; and

WHEREAS, Utilizing the community as a resource, he organized several
outreach programs geared at assisting disadvantaged families and
improving community police relations including the 47th Precinct's Back
to School Giveaway, Turkey Giveaway, Annual Toy Drive, Annual Senior
Dinner, and the Memorial 5k Run, as well as Call 2 Duty, a police
officer youth mentorship group, and Shoot Hoops Not Youth, a basketball
tournament between police officers and local gang/crew members; and

WHEREAS, Under his able leadership and as a result of the
implementation of these various programs and other crime fighting
strategies, the 47th Precinct reported a record low in overall violence
in 2015; and

WHEREAS, A dedicated and disciplined officer, Ruel R. Stephenson
serves the City of New York Police Department with loyalty, honor and
distinction, earning him the admiration, esteem and affection of his
colleagues; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Andrea, and their
three children, Dyondra, Jenaye and Ruel, Jr., who have all shown him
love and support and rejoice in his many 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
congratulate Ruel R. Stephenson upon the occasion of being promoted to
Deputy Chief of the City of New York Police Department; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Deputy Chief Ruel R. Stephenson.