WHEREAS, Doug Goodman, an esteemed law-enforcement officer who has greatly served the Town of Ashland for the past 14 years as chief of the Ashland Police Department, will retire on April 1, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Doug Goodman began his illustrious career in law enforcement in 1993 with the Hanover County Sheriff's Office, supporting several of the department's operations over the years, including its hostage negotiation team, general investigations, professional standards and risk management, budget development, and records management; and
WHEREAS, demonstrating exceptional leadership and professionalism, Doug Goodman achieved the rank of sergeant in 2001 and of lieutenant a year after, while earning multiple service awards and a total of 108 commendations; and
WHEREAS, Doug Goodman joined the Ashland Police Department in 2007 and was appointed its chief of police on July 1, 2008, taking the lead on various initiatives to reduce crime and improve public safety; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure with the Ashland Police Department, the town's crime rate decreased by more than half, reaching its lowest levels in the locality's history in 2019 and 2020, while traffic collisions were significantly reduced; and
WHEREAS, Doug Goodman encouraged the implementation of data and technology to strengthen his department's ability to respond to crime and traffic incidents, securing over $1 million in grant funding to incorporate mobile computing, body cameras, and other innovations; and
WHEREAS, Doug Goodman helped spearhead the Ashland Police Foundation to provide his officers with greater resources and amenities and to better protect them in the event of a crisis; and
WHEREAS, Doug Goodman developed several productive collaborations to advance his department's objectives, including working with community leaders to address issues of blight at area motels, partnering with local institutions of higher education to enhance his department's recruitment efforts, and partnering with Randolph-Macon College to improve public safety on campus; and
WHEREAS, Doug Goodman's commitment to law enforcement extended to his role as an accreditation team leader and commissioner with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, as a board member with the Virginia Center for Policing Innovation, as past president of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, and as past chair of the Central Virginia Law Enforcement Chief Executive Association; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his accomplishments in improving the quality of life for residents in the corridors of South Taylor, Arlington, and Randolph Streets in Ashland, Doug Goodman was presented with a Virginia Municipal League Award; and
WHEREAS, Doug Goodman has made Ashland safer during his 14 years as chief of the Ashland Police Department, and his legacy of service will be an inspiration to fellow officers and residents for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Doug Goodman, chief of the Ashland Police Department, on the occasion of his retirement; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Doug Goodman as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his honorable service and many contributions to the Commonwealth.