East Providence Police Department swears in 15 new officers

Incoming personnel includes K-9 handler and dog “Officer Chiko”

By Mike Rego
Posted 4/12/18

EAST PROVIDENCE — On the job for a few weeks now, 15 new members of the East Providence Police Department were publicly initiated into the force during a swearing-in ceremony overseen by Chief …

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East Providence Police Department swears in 15 new officers

Incoming personnel includes K-9 handler and dog “Officer Chiko”

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — On the job for a few weeks now, 15 new members of the East Providence Police Department were publicly initiated into the force during a swearing-in ceremony overseen by Chief Christopher Parella and held during the April 3 meeting of the council at City Hall.

Those officers taking the oath included: Conor DeBold; James Watts; Christopher Cooney; Jay Rainville and K9 Chiko; Kyle Graves; Patrick Holmes; Kurt Ripke; Scott McGregor; Patrick Kelley; Michael Sullivan; Quint Dow; Ryan Feeney; Stephen DeMedeiros; Ryan Cute; and Brandon Normann.

Though previously sworn into action by acting City Manager Malcolm Moore, whose duties also include serving as East Providence’s public safety commissioner, Chief Parella explained in his remarks to the body and those in attendance his stance for the necessity of the ceremony to take place before residents and politicians alike.

“I feel it’s vitally important they take a formal and ceremonious oath in front of the elected officials and constituents of the city that they are swearing to serve,” Chief Parella said. “I think it’s equally important the elected leaders and city officials lay witness and listen intently to what these officers are actually pledging. And more importantly what they’re willing to lay down in protection of this city.”

The chief noted the significant shared responsibilities of his position, those in elected and administrative offices as well as of the new police personnel in making sure they are protected and are prosperous in their collective endeavors.

“There are very few professions on earth that actually require you to lay down your life if necessary to protect those that we serve,” Chief Parella said. “Along with our brothers and sisters in the fire service, law enforcement is certainly one of them. So with that in mind I think it’s imperative for the families and friends of these new officers look upon the officials that will share with me the awesome responsibility of keeping their loved ones safe while providing them with all the tools and political support they need to be successful and effective in their service to the city.

With such public health and safety issues such as the opioid crisis, sexual harassment and domestic violence being front-and-center of current events, the chief noted how the role of police officers in society has changed and taken on even greater significance in recent years.

“There has never been a more challenging time to enter the police profession,” Chief Parella said. “Every single societal issue somehow reaches the door step of the police. This places a constant level on an already stressful job. Hence more than ever, police officers need to know their elected officials will support their mission and stay the course when the road gets tough.”

In discussing the new class of officers in general, the chief noted of the 15 officers joining the force, nine were recruited through an initiative called the “lateral entry program,” where the city seeks to hire experienced personnel from other departments in the area. The six other recruits were hired through what the chief termed as the department’s “comprehensive selection process” and the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy, a shared effort between law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

Chief Parella, acknowledging the role the city council played in approving the program about a year ago, said the lateral entry initiative has been a “huge saving to taxpayers” in East Providence in terms of training and has “streamlined process of recruiting.” The chief pegged the savings at approximately $270,000 for the crop of officers added through the program. The program is overseen under the auspices of Captain James Nelson, director of the department’s Planning and Training Unit.

In addition, the chief specifically pointed to the hiring of K-9 specialist and Patrolman Rainville from the North Smithfield PD, who comes to East Providence along with a fully trained four-year-old Belgian Malinois, “Officer Chiko.”

Of the K-9 and his handler, Chief Parella said, “Obtaining a fully trained K9 greatly and exponentially added to the department’s resources.” Of the presence the veteran presence the officers bring to the department as a whole, the chief said the group “adds to the leadership to a young and still growing department.”

On a more intimate note, Chief Parella offered the following assurance, “To the families and loved ones of these new officers I give you my personal and professional commitment to provide whatever support I can to provide them safety success in their new careers.”

And in closing, the chief, harkening to the backing of past and current EPPD officers, said to the new officers, “You will never walk alone in times of danger, not in this department.”

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.