Parella plans to retire as East Providence Police chief

Last day is Friday, Feb. 15

By Mike Rego
Posted 2/11/19

EAST PROVIDENCE — Setting aside any lingering speculation, East Providence Police Chief Christopher Parella formally announced his retirement on Monday, Feb. 11, doing so during an interview with …

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Parella plans to retire as East Providence Police chief

Last day is Friday, Feb. 15

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — Setting aside any lingering speculation, East Providence Police Chief Christopher Parella formally announced his retirement on Monday, Feb. 11, doing so during an interview with The Post and later through a press release from the office of Mayor Bob DaSilva.

Chief Parella’s last day in the position will be Friday, Feb. 15. Mayor DaSilva planned a retirement ceremony to honor the chief will be held on Friday, Feb. 15, at noon at City Hall.

Chief Parella, a native of Bristol though a long-time city resident, leaves after serving four years and eight months as the commander of the EPPD. He was an East Providence Police Officer for just over 28 years, having been sworn into duty in November of 1990. He held every rank available, except corporal, and notably spent the last sixth months of 2018 serving the dual role of chief and acting city manager.

“I have 28-and-a-half years on the job and I’m about to turn 57 in a couple of months and I just finished the six months over at City Hall, and I said, you know, I enjoyed it. It was all consuming doing both jobs, but I enjoyed it. But I think I’m at the point in my life now where I want to try some different things. I got to do some different things there (City Hall), that I don’t typically get to do. I enjoyed it, but I think it’s time to try something different. And I want to leave time for the next chapter in my life while I still have this passion, this energy,” Chief Parella said during an interview Monday afternoon in his office at EPPD headquarters.

Chief Parella said he's pondered the decision for the better part of the last year, but held off until he felt the timing was right. Of his future, he said he has no immediate plans, though he still has an appetite to remain in law enforcement and his tenure as acting city manager made working in municipal government made it an intriguing proposition.

As for the EPPD, per City Charter and pending an appointment by the mayor, Deputy Chief/Major William Nebus is expected to assume the role on an interim basis.

“Chief Parella has served the city of East Providence with honor and distinction since he first joined the department nearly 30 years ago,” Mayor DaSilva said in his statement. “We thank Chief Parella for his dedication to the department and to this community. We wish him well in retirement.”

A more complete story will run in the February 14 print edition of The East Providence Post and an extended version will also appear on eastbayri.com in the coming days.

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.