Chesterfield deputy police chief retires after 29 years
By Sande Snead CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Bourque

Instrumental in the formation of the Chesterfield County Retired Police Officers' Association, Deputy Chief of Police Lt. Col. James P. Bourque joins their ranks Mar. 1 when he ends his long and distinguished career with the Chesterfield Police Department.

"I attended their last meeting, and I'm officially enrolled," Bourque said. "But I won't be taking on a leadership role in the association any time soon."

Bourque has earned his retirement. He provided nearly 40 years of public service, with more than 35 years as a law enforcement officer, including 29 years with the Chesterfield Police Department, as well as four years in the U.S. Army and one year of service in Vietnam.

While with the police department, Bourque served as a patrol officer, investigator, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major and lieutenant colonel.

Bourque served as deputy chief of police of support operations for the past three years and oversaw the administrative and operations support bureaus, human resources division, media relations and acted as the liaison to the Emergency Communications Center.

As the department's media advisor for more than 20 years, Bourque recognized the importance of establishing positive relationships with the media. In 2001, he created a Media Relations Unit to enhance the flow of information to news agencies and the public.

Bourque designed and implemented the Chesterfield County/Colonial Heights Crime Solvers program in conjunction with other founding members in 1984. This anonymous tip-reporting program encourages participation from citizens, media and the police department to help reduce crime and increase awareness within the community.

Asked what he was most proud of during his long career, Bourque was hard pressed to single out one accomplishment.

"I have never had a bad job," he said. "There are a lot of things I could take pride in, but the most visible is the Crime Solvers program."

He spent a good deal of his career in criminal investigations and oversaw investigations of numerous sensitive and high profile crimes, notably the 1990 Charity Powers abduction case. The 10-year-old girl was abducted from a skating rink, raped and murdered.

Children's welfare is of special interest to Bourque. He served on the Colonial Heights Sexual Abuse Task Force and is on the board of directors for Chesterfield Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

"In the course of my career, the thing that affected me most deeply was working with children who were victims of sexual acts. It is very satisfying to see these children now doing well. It's good to know that you can make a real difference in somebody's life."

Bourque also spearheaded a project that enabled the department to staff its Forensic Unit with a majority of civilian employees, greatly enhancing evidence collection.

Re-introducing and developing the Police Chaplains program, Bourque strongly believed in providing counseling and pastoral services for officers, their families, department members and citizens. The Critical Incident Stress Management program was initially formed under his direction.

"The department deals with so many cases involving children and criminals that it's hard not to get a distorted view of the world sometimes. The stress management and crisis programs were formed to help combat that view."

Along with other founding members of the Chesterfield County Police Foundation, Bourque helped create a nonprofit organization to support the county's law enforcement community and their families in times of crisis and need.

Police Chief Col. Carl R. Baker has worked with Bourque for 11 years. On Mar. 1, he loses a top-notch officer as well as the opportunity to work side-by-side with a good friend.

"I can't say enough about Jim and what an asset he has been to the department, to the county and to me," Baker said. "He is one of those go to people. If you need to get something done and get it done right, Jim was the man to go to."

For now, Bourque wants to take a breather from being the "go to guy."

"I want to continue to be involved in the nonprofit organizations I'm involved with, but it's time to also pay attention to all of those things around the house that I couldn't pay attention to before," he said. "I'll do a little consulting, but I don't want to be tied down to anything full time, not even close to full time."

Major Thierry Dupuis, a career officer with the department, will become deputy chief effective Mar. 10.