PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association would like to announce the new Executive Board members who were sworn in as part of RIPCA’s annual January meeting held Tuesday, Jan. 19.
“I would like to congratulate those who were elected to RIPCA’s Executive Board to represent the membership for the next year,” said RIPCA Executive Director Sidney Wordell. “The newly sworn-in Executive Board members have many years of combined service in law enforcement and are dedicated to serving each of their communities. I look forward to working with these new members on the Executive Board and continuing to provide exemplary service to residents throughout Rhode Island.”
Some of the newly-elected members were sworn in during an in-person ceremony, while others attended remotely.
The following members were sworn in to RIPCA’s Executive Board:
Chief Richard Ramsay, West Greenwich Police – President:
Chief Richard Ramsay began his career at the West Warwick Police Department in 1989, graduating from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy in 1990. He steadily rose through the ranks, reaching the rank of major in 2010. He later retired as second-in-command of the West Warwick Police Department in 2012 with 23 years of service. Upon his retirement he was appointed to the position of Police Chief for the Town of West Greenwich, and currently serves in that position.
Chief Ramsay was elected as a member of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association Executive Board in 2018 and held the position of 1st Vice President of the New England Chapter of the FBI National Academy. He was a founding member of the Rhode Island Peer Support Response and Training team in 2004. He has received several commendations and awards during his 29 years of police service including the 1997 West Warwick Distinguished Service Award, the 2004 West Warwick Officer of the Year Award and the 2013 West Warwick Loins Club Police Officer of the Year Award.
Chief Ramsay graduated from Rhode Island College in 1985 with a degree in business management. After being hired as a police officer he returned to college and received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Roger Williams University in 1997 and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Roger Williams University in 2004. In 2007 he graduated from the FBI National Academy 229th session and currently is an adjunct professor in the criminal justice departments at two local colleges.
Colonel Mark Knott, West Warwick Police – Vice President:
Colonel Mark A. Knott was sworn in as the West Warwick Police Department’s 21st Chief of Police on Jan. 8, 2019. He is a 27-year member of the force and was hired on Dec. 14, 1994.
Colonel Knott served as a patrol officer before being promoted to detective sergeant and assigned to the Special Investigation Unit in December 2003. He was then promoted to the rank of lieutenant and served within the Patrol Division in 2005 before being promoted to the rank of captain in 2006 and serving in both the Patrol and Detective Divisions.
In 2012, Colonel Knott was promoted to the rank of major and served as the patrol/operations commander before becoming the Deputy Chief and serving as the detective/prosecution commander. In August 2018, Colonel Knott was named the Interim Chief until his permanent appointment in 2019.
Colonel Knott was a longtime crisis negotiator on the West Warwick/Coventry Police Regional SWAT Team and served as the Crisis Negotiation Team Leader for many years. He was also the vice president of the New England Crisis Negotiators Association until his recent appointment to the RIPCA Executive Board. Colonel Knott was also a founding member of the RI Law Enforcement State Peer Support Team shortly after the Station Night Club fire and is still actively engaged in educating and supporting the men and women of the state’s law enforcement communities.
Colonel Knott holds a master’s degree in justice studies from Roger Williams University, a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and insurance from the University of Rhode Island, and an associate’s degree in law enforcement from the Community College of Rhode Island. He has attended numerous executive development courses and is slated to attend the 286th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Chief Edward Mello, Jamestown Police – Treasurer:
Chief Edward Mello began his career with the Westerly Police Department in 1988 after graduating from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy. He served primarily in the Patrol Division as a patrol officer and sergeant before being promoted to the rank of captain in 2002 where he served as second-in-command of the department. In 2004, he was appointed Chief, leading the 85-member department until his retirement in 2011. He then became the Chief of Police for the Town of Jamestown and currently serves in that position. He also serves as the Jamestown emergency management director and executive director of the Jamestown Harbor Commission.
Chief Mello served as the president of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association in 2011. He serves as the chairman of the Rhode Island Commission for Police Officers Standards and Training and is a founding executive board member of the Rhode Island Police Accreditation Commission. He is a member of the FBI Criminal Justice Information System Advisory Policy Board, representing the State of Rhode Island.
Chief Mello is a graduate of Roger Williams University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and of Boston University with a master’s degree in criminal justice. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy 223rd Session.
Colonel Michael Winquist, Cranston Police – Secretary:
Prior to being named Chief of the Cranston Police Department, Colonel Michael Winquist served as a member of the Rhode Island State Police for over 24 years, retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel/deputy superintendent, where he received numerous commendations and letters of recognition for exemplary police work. During his tenure with the State Police, Colonel Winquist served in nearly every division including the uniform division; area detectives; narcotics unit; Providence Police Gang Task Force; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Task Force; Fusion Center and Intelligence Unit and Motorcycle Team.
Colonel Winquist has led many investigations targeting both traditional and non-traditional organized crime groups. These investigations resulted in the arrests of numerous individuals, as well as the forfeiture of assets derived from criminal activity. In 2006, Colonel Winquist was charged with developing the state’s Fusion Center, which continues to play a vital role in protecting the state from domestic and international threats by sharing intelligence amongst federal, state and local partners.
Colonel Winquist holds a Bachelor of Science degree in the administration of justice from Roger Williams University and a Master of Science degree in the administration of justice from Anna Maria University. Colonel Winquist is also a graduate of the 251st session of the FBI National Academy.
Colonel Winquist is member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and New England Association of Chiefs of Police. In 2018, Colonel Winquist was appointed to the Rhode Island Police Officers Commission on Standards and Training. In 2019, Colonel Winquist was also appointed to the State 9-1-1 Advisory Committee.
Chief Sean Corrigan, Narragansett Police – Sergeant at Arms:
Chief Sean P. Corrigan was appointed to the Narragansett Police Department on Oct. 21, 1996. He then rose through the ranks of the department as a detective, patrol sergeant, patrol lieutenant, detective lieutenant and captain before being appointed as Chief of Police on May 2, 2016.
Chief Corrigan holds a Master of Science degree in criminal justice from Roger Williams University. He and his wife Marilyn of 24 years have one daughter, Makayla, and one son, Liam.
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