Contact: Major James G. Pereira, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, Telephone: (401) 444-1004
Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Commissioner of the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety in conjunction with Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy Executive Director Anthony J. Silva and Rhode Island Police Chiefs' Association President Edward A. Mello announces that thirty-four (34) academy recruits have successfully completed training and have been sworn in as police officers for their respective City or Town. Graduation ceremonies were held on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, 11:30 a.m. at the Community College of Rhode Island-Flanagan Campus Field House, Lincoln, RI.
The officers recently completed twenty-two (22) weeks of Basic Law Enforcement Training at the Municipal Training Academy which is located at the Lincoln campus of the Community College of Rhode Island. The certified officers represent sixteen (16) police departments across the state.
Colonel O'Donnell, the Honorable Peter F. Kilmartin, Attorney General for the State of Rhode Island, Middletown Police Chief Anthony M. Pesare and Douglas Massachusetts Police Chief Patrick T. Foley addressed the graduates. Colonel O'Donnell and Chief Anthony Pesare, Middletown Police Department, presented the graduates with their diplomas.
Colonel O'Donnell states, "Yesterday was a very special and proud day in the lives of 34 police recruits. I congratulate all the graduates and wish them a safe and healthy career."
Executive Director Anthony Silva adds, "I am confident and proud to say that all of the graduates will serve their respective law enforcement agencies with professionalism and integrity."
Jamestown Police Chief and President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs' Association, Edward Mello states, "On behalf of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs' Association I congratulate the recruits on this significant accomplishment as they begin their careers in law enforcement. I wish them well and may they have a safe and long career."
The following officers were recognized for meritorious achievement: Officer Salvatore T. Bugge—Scholastic Achievement Award; Officer Michael R. Theroux—Code of Ethics Award; Officer Nicholas A. Reay—Firearms, Physical Fitness and Highway Safety Awards, and Officer Joe M. Afonso, Shannon Leadership Award.
Below is a listing of the 2011 Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy graduating officers and the respective agencies they will work for:
City of Cranston: Joe M. Afonso, Ashley E. Hardy, Ross S. Manzotti, John A. Mastratti III, Jared J. Starnino
Town of Cumberland: Gregory J. Pomfret, Joshua D. Vaughn
City of East Providence: William T. Dubois, Kurt J. Hawes
Town of Glocester: Donald J. Sousa III
Town of Lincoln: Bradley W. Stewart
Town of Little Compton: Caitlin M. Farrar
Town of Narragansett: Keith S. Lagasse
Town of North Kinstown: Anthony T. Pelloni
Town of North Smithfield: Robert W. Maione, Jr.
Town of Portsmouth: Lee G. Trott, Maddie L. Pirri
Town of Smithfield: Ryan P. Perry
Town of South Kinsgtown: Joseph L. Decurtis, Jr.
Town of Warren: Patrick T. Sarrasin
City of Warwick: Charles A. Austin, Jr., Andrew R. Gilmartin, Matthew J. Higgins, Christopher R. Lo, Nicholas A. Reay, Jeffrey B. Taranto, Quentin E. Tavares
City of Woonsocket: David N. Bibeault, Zachary J. Bienkiewicz, Andrew R. Girard, Matthew J. Labine, Michael R. Theroux
University of Rhode Island: Salvatore T. Bugge, Wayne A. Young
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