In the police district C-11 this week, there's a hail and farewell that is most appropriate.

When Commissioner O'Toole announced a re-shuffling of commanders, she reached into our neighborhood ranks to elevate three Dot officers- all OFD, Originally from Dorchester- to new command posts.

First among them was Cedar Grove's Robert Dunford, the longtime C-11 commander now named superintendent, in charge of all uniformed officers in the city. At last, after a distinguished career, Bob Dunford is where he belongs and we can be proud of him.

O'Toole also reached out to Dorchester to promote current Area C-11 Captain Thomas Lee to Deputy Superintendent for the Special Operations division. Captain Lee, a native of Bailey Street in the Ashmont section, spent just 2 1/2 years as commander here, but quickly had become a favorite of civic group leaders for his attention to their concerns. His community policing efforts were considered the best in the city.

To replace Lee, the commissioner named another Dorchester cop, Captain Francis Armstrong, a 43 year-old native of Chickatawbut Street in Neponset. Lee and Armstrong came on the force together 25 years ago and served as cadets and partners over the years. Another Dorchester cop, Area C-11 Lt. Kenneth Fong, was promoted to Deputy Superintendent in the Bureau of Field Services / Operations Division.

Community policing was developed and refined right here in Dorchester, and district C-11 has been fortunate to have been served by outstanding commanders. The proof is obvious in the promotions announced last week. We wish them all well.

-Ed Forry

The Reporter's website- Dotnews.com- serves as a gathering spot for Dorchester people, present and past, to stay connected to their hometown. This week brought a dispatch from a Dot soldier serving in Iraq, who left this note on our Guestbook:

"Hey, I'm a Dorchester native, born and raised in the Savin Hill area, and I love your website. I wish you would put more pictures of the neighborhood on it. Now that I'm serving in the Army as a Medic for the 3rd Infantry Division outside of Tikrit Iraq, I miss home very much and would enjoy viewing the neighborhood I love so much. See what you can do."

He signed it, "Proudly Serving, Brendan J. Murphy."

In response, this week, we will unveil a new section of our website devoted to Dorchester's people serving in the Persian Gulf region. Per Brendan's request, it will feature photos and messages from our neighborhood, with a goal of letting the troops know that they are very much on our mind. We encourage Dorchester-area schools, civic groups, veterans' posts, and youth organizations to assist by sending photos that will help give Brendan and his comrades a familiar glimpse of life back home. We also welcome any letters and essays that might accomplish that same mission, and will publish some responses from the troops. Please, if you or your group would like to participate, send entries (e-mail only) to news@dotnews.com.

-Ed Forry