News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 1997

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the International Chiefs of Police (IACP) announced today the election of DEA Administrator Thomas A. Constantine as the honorary President of the IACP

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the International Chiefs of Police (IACP) announced today the election of DEA Administrator Thomas A. Constantine as the honorary President of the IACP for Tuesday's General Assembly Session of the IACP's 104th Annual Conference in Orlando, FL.

Administrator Constantine would have been installed as the President of IACP this year; however, upon his appointment as Administrator by President Clinton in 1994 he relinquished his IACP position "with great regret". Upon being installed as honorary President Constantine stated, "I've received a number of awards and honors during my 38 year career in law enforcement but, from a personal standpoint, my election as the honorary President of the IACP surpasses them all." He added, "The IACP is the largest organization of police executives in the world. Its members are dedicated to making the world a safer place for all of its citizens - it's a singular honor for me to be recognized in this manner by my peers."

Administrator Constantine's designation as the honorary President of the IACP was ratified by the delegates of the 15,000 member international organization at the opening ceremonies of the IACP Conference on Sunday, October 26, 1997. Constantine's appointment marks the first time in IACP's 104 year history that the organization has elected an honorary President to preside over an annual General Assembly Session.

Darrell L. Sanders, Chief of Police of Frankfort, IL and IACP President stated, "Tom has served law enforcement in every possible uniformed and investigative rank during his law enforcement career. He has not only served as a member of numerous IACP committees he was also the Vice President of IACP from 1992-1994. After his appointment as the Administrator of DEA, Tom remained an active partner in the IACP family. In honoring him today, we are recognizing his life long commitment to law enforcement and his significant contributions to the IACP."

Contacted at his home in Schenectady, NY past President of IACP and Executive Director of the New York State Chiefs of Police, Joseph S. Dominelli commented, "Tom Constantine embodies the proud tradition of excellence that New York law enforcement represents. To be designated as the only honorary President in the history of the IACP reflects the high esteem in which he is held by the law enforcement community. That honor is a tribute to both the man and his contributions to law enforcement."

DEA Chief Elected Honorary President of the International Chiefs of Police

As the Administrator of the DEA, Mr Constantine oversees a workforce of over 7,000 Special Agents and support staff, and DEA offices in every state and in over 50 countries. During his tenure, he has initiated new programs to foster closer cooperation with state and local law enforcement agencies and to enhance their ability to fight violent drug crime. He has also directed DEA resources to assist foreign governments to dismantle the world's most powerful drug trafficking organizations, including the Cali mafia.

In closing Constantine stated, "The law enforcement officers represented by the IACP are on the front lines in the struggle against the violence and drug trafficking which effects all of our communities. If we are ever to see the day when our streets and homes are again safe from predators and drug traffickers, law enforcement must work together. The IACP has been, and will continue to be, an important force in fostering that cooperation."

The IACP is the world's oldest and largest nonprofit membership organization of police executives with approximately 15,000 members in 90 countries. IACP's leadership consists of the operating chief executives of international, federal, state and local police agencies of all sizes.

Founded in 1893 the organization's goals are: to advance the science and art of police services; to develop and disseminate improved administrative, technical and operational practices and promote their use in police work; to foster police cooperation and the exchange of information throughout the world and to encourage adherence of all police officers to high professional standards of performance and conduct.

IACP supports law enforcement professional with a wide variety of services, including conducting management and operational studies; presenting state-of-the-art training programs and materials; establishing law enforcement policies and procedures and conducting extensive law enforcement research and publishing special reports. The IACP speaks as a single voice for the 15,000 member agencies on issues of concern to the law enforcement community.