RHODE ISLAND– The Rhode Island Police Accreditation Commission (RIPAC) is pleased to announce it will be holding an awards and accreditation recognition ceremony later this month to recognize several departments across the state.
WHEN:
Wednesday, June 30, starting at 11 a.m.
WHERE:
The Great Hall, Community College of Rhode Island – Warwick campus
WHO:
Speakers at the ceremony will include RIPAC Executive Director Christine Crocker and Chairman Chief Richard St. Sauveur.
Members from each of the departments being recognized will be present.
WHAT:
RIPAC first held an awards ceremony in 2019, but was unable to hold an in-person event last year due to the pandemic.
As part of this year’s event, 14 police departments will be recognized for achieving accreditation status during the pandemic. They include:
Initial Accreditation: Lincoln Police, Tiverton Police, Community College of Rhode Island Police, Rhode Island College Police.
Reaccreditation: Glocester Police, Charlestown Police, North Kingstown Police, Pawtucket Police, Portsmouth Police, Rhode Island Capitol Police, Woonsocket Police, West Warwick Police.
CALEA agencies attaining RIPAC reaccreditation: Cranston Police, Smithfield Police. (CALEA — the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies — is a national credentialing authority).
In addition to accreditation recognition, the following awards will be presented:
Chief Anthony M. Pesare Leadership Award: Paul F. Dutra, Esq., Property/Liability Claims Manager for the Rhode Island Interlocal Risk Management TRUST.
Assessor of the Year: Capt. Matthew Benson, Johnston Police Department.
Accreditation Manager of the Year (two recipients): Lt. Diana Perez, North Providence Police Department; Sgt. Ricardo D. Mourato, Bristol Police Department.
Despite the pandemic, the Rhode Island Police Accreditation Commission worked hard to ensure the strict accreditation process was followed for those agencies going through the accreditation process.
Normally RIPAC would conduct accreditation evaluations in person, but due to the pandemic part of their work over the past year and a half was done remotely. It was a challenge to keep the process thorough while also abiding by health and safety precautions.
“The agencies were terrific with everything, and worked extra hard to maintain the high standards that go into accreditation,” Director Crocker said. “There is a true desire across the state to see the process through, and we look forward to honoring the latest accredited departments later this month.”
Nearly 100% of departments in the state participate in the accreditation program, and after the June 30 ceremony 34 of 46 agencies in the state will have achieved accreditation status.
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