Mayor Bob DaSilva officially swore in the city's top two police administrators — who had been acting in an interim capacity for those positions for the better part of a year — and recognized the promotion of 17 other officers during a well-attended ceremony at East Providence High School on Tuesday evening.

Michael Rapoza, who was promoted to the role of Acting Police Chief following the retirement of Christopher Francesconi in March of 2025, was officially sworn in as chief of police. Andy Benoit, who had been serving as interim deputy chief since the retirement of Deputy Chief Barry Ramer around the same time as Francesconi, was sworn in as the city’s new deputy chief.

“They say a police department reflects the community it serves,” said Rapoza. “Tonight, as I look around this room filled with dedicated officers from this agency and beyond, proud families, city leaders, and those who built this department before us, I am reminded just how strong the City of East Providence truly is. Thank you all for being here tonight to share in this important moment for the East Providence Police Department. I am truly honored and humbled to stand before you as the new chief of police.”

Rapoza, who began his law enforcement career with the Swansea Police Department, was hired by East Providence in 2005. According to a press release, Rapoza served as a field training officer, drug recognition expert and department firearms instructor. He was assigned to the department's Vice/Narcotics Division, where he served for several years. While in the vice unit, Chief Rapoza worked in an undercover capacity for the DEA Providence Office and the Bristol County Sheriff's Office South Coast Anti-Crime Team, based out of New Bedford.

Rapoza was promoted to sergeant, returning to the patrol division for several years before being transferred to the Office of Professional Standards, and was temporarily assigned to the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy as a firearms instructor, eventually becoming the program manager for all of the state’s police departments. He would then be promoted to Lieutenant, and then to captain. In April of 2025, he was promoted to Deputy Chief, and has been acting chief since June of 2025.

Rapoza thanked his family and friends for the support that helped him rise to the top of East Providence’s police brass. His wife and daughters pinned his badge as police chief.

“To my wife, Meredith, and daughters, Emelia and Charlotte, thank you for your patience, and your support through long nights, missed holidays, and the challenges that come with this profession,” he said. “I would also like to recognize my mother and father, who were both born and raised right here in East Providence. This city is part of who I am. Thank you for instilling in me the values of hard work, integrity, and service.”

During his speech following his swearing in, Rapoza spoke about the challenges of policing in the modern era, and how he plans to carry the responsibility of his position with that context in mind.

“Current events, heightened scrutiny, and evolving expectations require us to be better, smarter, and more unified than ever before,” he said. “As chief, my vision is clear. We will foster professionalism, accountability, and a strong commitment to community service. We will strive, every single day, to be the best law enforcement agency in the State of Rhode Island. To do that, we must take care of our people. Officer wellness will be a priority. Continued education and training will be essential. We will provide our officers with the best equipment possible and work to ensure a safe, supportive, and rewarding work environment — one where our officers can thrive both professionally and personally.”

Deputy chief and other promotions

New Deputy Chief of Police, Andy Benoit, has been a resident of East Providence since he was two years old, and graduated East Providence High School in 2000. He was hired by the East Providence Police in 2003, and joined the department’s Special Reaction Team (SRT) in 2005, which he rose through the ranks within and has now led as its commander since 2022.

Benoit was promoted to sergeant in 2014, lieutenant in 2017, and captain in 2023. He was named acting deputy chief in April of 2025, where he is in charge of day-to-day operations of the agency, strategically and financially. He was pinned by his wife, Christina, and daughters, Kyla and Kaelyn.

A slate of seventeen other officers in the department were promoted during the ceremony, including:

Captains — Brian Mulvany, David Pacheco, Maari Beltrami Stainer

Lieutenants — Kelvin Cabrera, Conor Debold, Roland Estrada, Stephen Rodrigues

Sergeants — Christopher Cooney, Quint Dow, Ryan Feeney, Jay Rainville, Kurt Ripke, Michael Sullivan

Detectives — Kristopher Correia, Ryan Havunen, Jason Nogler, Stephen Ohsberg