The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF VERNON POLICE CHIEF JAMES KENNY
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HON. JOE COURTNEY
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the distinguished career in public service of Vernon Police Chief James Kenny. Having pursued a 36-year long career toward the betterment of the local policing community, the latter 15 within my hometown of Vernon, Chief Kenny announced his decision to retire on July 9, 2021. As a resident of Vernon who directly benefited from Chief Kenny's commitment to ``Preserve and Protect'' and as a public official who has a front row seat to observe him in action, I can attest to his stellar record of public service.
Born and educated in the nearby town of Rocky Hill, James was destined to deepen his roots within the region help and build upon the community ties that raised him. Connected to his commitment to the conununity was his passion for service: immediately upon his graduation from Rocky Hill High School in 1978, James enlisted into the United States Army. He trained as a military police officer and served oversees, ultimately receiving an honorable discharge. After returning home he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Bryant University with Honors, all the while working as a part time constable in Old Lyme, Connecticut.
James Kenny initially joined the force as a patrol officer with the Glastonbury Police Department, a stone's throw away from his hometown, Rocky Hill. During his tenure at Glastonbury, his forward-thinking embracement of community policing and diligent work habits accelerated him through the ranks, rising in leadership to field training officer, sergeant, and then captain in the year 2000. He stayed on with the Glastonbury Department, serving as a supervisor in both the patrol and detective divisions until he transferred to the Vernon Police Department as a captain in 2006. It is worth noting that whilst serving within the Glastonbury Police Department, James pursued additional opportunities to serve the region such as when he became a founding member and then team leader to the Capital Region Emergency Services Team.
Upon his retirement from Glastonbury's Police Department, James Kenny joined Vernon's Police Department in 2006 as a captain, becoming responsible for the entire operations of the local department. Of course, in transitioning to the Vernon Police Department, Captain James Kenny continued his advocacy of community policing in Vernon's neighborhoods, particularly the Rockville section of town. This proactive initiative did not go unnoticed, and it was not long before Captain Kenny became Police Chief Kenny in 2007. During his term, I had the opportunity to do some ``ride-alongs'' and witness the engagement with town residents that the chief himself and his officers practiced as part the ``Kenny Plan''.
Presence was a major tenet of Vernon Police Chief Kenny's tenure as a leader in policing--not just for the region within the second district of Connecticut, but the entire state. He utilized this presence to grow the mission of and advocate for community policing. Shortly after becoming head of the Vernon Police Department, Chief Kenny was selected to sit on Governor Jodi Rell's Sentencing and Parole Review Task Force in order to thoroughly review policies involved in arresting, charging, sentencing and releasing those convicted of crimes in Connecticut. Around this same time, Chief Kenny also joined the Criminal Justice Policy Advisory Commission, for which he has remained on through to retirement. Even as our nation has brought to the forefront tough discussions on police reform, Police Chief Kenny and the Vernon Police Department remained a source of inspiration to the importance of a community-oriented and integrated local police force. It is worth noting that the Vernon Police Department, under the forward-thinking perspective of Chief Kenny, has long been a leader in this regard with the unit already having implemented policies to build trust within the town, such as through early utilization of body cameras and revisions to their authorized use of force.
Madam Speaker, Chief Kenny has spent his life and career toward the betterment of his community. Chief Kenny has been a leader and a mentor to many people within and outside of the aforementioned policing departments. The town of Vernon owes him an endless amount of gratitude for his leadership in evolving an essential community service, particularly amidst the pandemic. He now retires to dedicate more time to his primary job as a devoted husband to his wife Theresa and a loving father of three daughters Lexie, Jacqueline and Jamie--the last of whom did an outstanding stint as an intern in my D.C. office. I cannot think of a gentleman more deserving of a fruitful retirement, the people of Vernon will truly miss his talented, caring service. To that end, I ask my colleagues in the House join me in honoring and thanking Vernon Police Chief James Kenny for his exemplary lifetime of service and wishing him and his family all the best in their life's new chapter.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 81
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