They also dispatch the Pawcatuck, Connecticut Fire Dept. Review and analyze the needs for police service and the efficiency of Departmental operations; promote enhanced administrative, technical and operational police practices. Saying Rhode Island "can't afford" to go back to pre-pandemic days where students were unable to eat at school because their parents couldn't afford to pay for them, Representative Teresa Tanzi (D-Dist. Chief Vespia was one that had been a regular in my store for many years, said Viele, now executive director of the Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce. Matt covered potholes in his uniform, Manni said. Officers of the South Kingstown Police Department conduct their professional responsibilities in a disciplined manner pledging to uphold the laws of the Nation, State, Town Code, and Rules and Regulations of the South Kingstown Police Department. person will not be tolerated. Weve worked well together as a team for the town.. All persons named are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Cloudy and windy with periods of rain ending in the afternoon. mayor buys Columbus statue for $50K, Change in law allows more to scrub their criminal, 109-year-old Bristol native shares secret to a long, Office chairs recalled due to fall, injury risk, Dont answer phone calls from these 5 area codes, Doctor: Lesion removed from Bidens chest was cancerous, Weather Alert: Snow/Sleet Changing To Rain Overnight;, CT shelter needs to find homes for 30+ animals, Olive oil in coffee? Chief Geaber has been a fixture in town for decades, and the police department wont be the same without his steady and humble leadership, he said. Not everyone had buy-in, Manni said. Land Records. Develop and submit recommended annual operating budget and 6-year capital improvement plan to the Town Manager. They have shown a true commitment to our diverse community and their efforts and hard work do not go unnoticed.. Don't Threaten. . The chief also oversaw the hiring of several new police officers in late 2020 and 2021. Westerly Dispatch is the only regional dispatch center in Rhode Island. Manni instructed Moynihans class when the latter was studying to become a federal immigration agent in 1997. Prepare Police Department Annual Report by calendar year to provide transparent reporting of Departmental statistics to the public. An Official Rhode Island State Website. Those efforts yielded several new programs, events and personnel for the local department. The men and women of the Rhode Island State Police wish nothing but the best for him in his retirement.. accounts, the history behind an article. Identify, report, and remove a variety of public safety hazards and to provide assistance to ensure citizen safety at every opportunity. racist or sexually-oriented language. A brush with the law at 18 years old influenced his . There is an entrance in the center of the building, enter and come into the lobby, turn left and enter the . EMERGENCY: 9-1-1. Captain Joel Ewing-Chow, who has served as the interim chief since July, was named the. He grew up in Providence and had to make a choice of which side of the fence he was going to be on the one respecting the law or the one skirting the law. NEW SHOREHAM, R.I. (WLNE) The chief of police on Block Island is leaving his post less than a week after the town council voted against funding state troopers on the island this summer. . Impressions can last a lifetime, as these did. Provide public safety dispatch for Police, EMS, and Fire. I didnt and he reminded me of that every time I saw him, Manni joked. Administer traffic detail program for road projects, etc. Right away his hand went up, Ill do it. Manni said. Moynihan is listed as a member of the RIPCA Executive Board. Do you believe schools have a responsibility to provide their students with universal, free breakfast and lunch? Use the 'Report' link on PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. He was also the first-ever inductee into the Rhode Island Criminal Justice Hall of Fame. . Winds NNE at 20 to 30 mph. Be Proactive. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Hes someone you can easily talk to. Investigate and prosecute all known criminal offenses. Rhode Island Department of State Gregg M. Amore Secretary of State Business Services . Reflecting on Vespias career, Manni said, Chief Vespias 35 years of service as the police chief of South Kingstown demonstrates his love for this community and commitment to public service. Share with Us. Officers of the South Kingstown Police Department conduct their professional responsibilities in a disciplined manner pledging to uphold the laws of the Nation, State, Town Code, and Rules and Regulations of the South Kingstown Police Department. He also found a notable spot in the annals of Rhode Island law enforcement when he in the 1970s served briefly as acting Coventry police chief following a murder investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of several Coventry officers. During his time here he reinvented public safety on the island and has put us on a good path for the future. We dont want to do that, Captain Ewing-Chow said then. I will miss everyone and would like to thank my family, friends and co-workers who have supported me throughout my career. Ewing-Chow got a warm send-off last week at the police station, joined by fellow officers and police staff. Moynihan previously worked under Manni with the Rhode Island State Police. The retiring chief was replaced by his assistant, Deputy Chief Chase, who in turn retired in September of 1949. The Rhode Island State Police Wickford Barracks, located in the Town of North Kingstown, has jurisdiction. residents, Man arrested on gun, drug charges in Fall River, Westerly sees increase in catalytic converter thefts, The War on Alzheimers: The Battle Continues, 2022 Rewind: Our favorite stories from last year, From Homeless to Hope: An Educators Journey, Our hands are tied: Pawtucket mayor seeks LEOBOR, Providence police officer suspended amid investigation, A critical issue: Shekarchi unveils legislative, Insufficient evidence: No crimes tied to Fall River, Prout defeats Cumberland in first game of DI hockey, BPB shuts out Warwick-Chariho Co-op in Game 1 of, La Salle dominates Mount St. Charles in Game 1 of, Bishop Hendricken tops Barrington in Game 1 of DI, URI women defeat George Washington in A10 conference, Newsmakers 3/3/2023: Mayor Grebien; race for Congress, Honoring Black History: Sharing Our Stories, Newsmakers 2/24/2023: Congressman Cicilline; special, Tech trends for 2023 to make your life easier, Eye on RI: Cranstons first Country Fest, director of public safety and chief of police, recognized as one of the safest in the country, 2 high schoolers credited with saving friends life, Sports legends among Mass. It wasnt an act, he truly felt that way He truly wanted to help people that were being hurt by this opioid crisis.. Embracing technology, building strong working . 34, South Kingstown, Narragansett) introduced legislation this week that would provide all students in Rhode Island with free break and lunch meals throughout the school year. Use the 'Report' link on SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) Campus Safety Magazine has narrowed down the field for its Director of the Year award, and a local police chief has been named one of the finalists. Provide assistance and counseling for a wide range of services from simple street directions to referrals of services of other agencies not provided by police. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with him on initiatives to strengthen our communities, Corrigan said. or anything. We'd love to hear eyewitness Arts and Entertainment, Art Gallery 3.6 miles. Interact cooperatively with the South Kingstown School Department, local institutional groups (URI, South County Hospital, and Fire Districts), neighboring police Departments, the RI State Police, multiple State and Federal agencies, and advocacy groups to form partnerships to make South Kingstown a safe community. Rachel Nunes/Patch Former South Kingstown. He was on top of everything he needed to be on top of, said Geaber who would replace Vespia as chief. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. Former South Kingstown Police Chief Vincent Vespia, 84, the towns longest-serving top cop, died Tuesday morning at South County Hospital. He also drew praise from the vice president of the South Kingstown Town Council, Bryant C. Da Cruz. Enter the parking lot via the south entrance, and park in the front parking lot. When COVID began, Manni said the state police were directed to use a Warwick hotel as an isolated shelter for people experiencing homelessness, who also were contracting COVID at a high rate. Let us know in this week's poll question below. Joel Ewing-Chow, who would later replace Geaber as chief, said at the time, Its been a pleasure working with him. Address traffic safety issues in the community. He was also the first-ever inductee into the Rhode Island Criminal Justice Hall of Fame. Police Chief serves as chair of Transportation Traffic Safety Committee. Edwards, in June of 1941, became North Kingstown's first Chief of Police presiding over a department consisting of one man. Chance of rain 100%. South County Hospital is located in the village of Wakefield. Contact Person: Jennifer Clough Phone: (401) 789-9331. SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. - Chief Joel Ewing-Chow closed the book this week on his 26-year career in law enforcement, retiring from the South Kingston Police Department. Be Nice. I was in the first group of recruits he hired, said Tierney. I will miss his calm and gentle manner and his careful counsel., State Police Col. James M. Manni, a South Kingstown resident, said Ive known Chief Geaber for most of my law enforcement career. Thank you . Ive been chief for 30 years but the greater number of duties of a police chief are administrative and that was not my first interest, my first love. Arts and Entertainment, Art Gallery 3.9 miles. Winds NNE at 20 to 30 mph. Identify, report, and remove a variety of public safety hazards and to provide assistance to ensure citizen safety at every opportunity. South Kingstown, RI southkingstownri . Car seat safety checkpoint Today (9/30) 3pm - 6:30pm Shaw's parking lot 160 Old Tower Hill Rd., Wakefield, RI - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. He served that town very well.. His nearly six decades in this profession was truly remarkable, said Manni, who is South Kingstowns current town manager. New Starbucks line a curiosity, RISPCA has nearly 30 guinea pigs up for adoption, February vacation events around Southern New England, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. These included investigations and prosecutions of crime boss Raymond Patriarca and the arrests of Gerald and Harold Tillinghast, brothers eventually convicted of murdering a mob loan shark. Trevor Richmond to lieutenant, Detective Gary Marquis to sergeant and Patrolman Thomas Bouffard to detective. Various local and state law enforcement officials, as well as town government officials, praised Geaber for his dedication throughout his career. SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI The South Kingstown Police Department officially has a new chief. This week Santa's helpers at SKPD stuffed and shipped 97 stockings to Captain Montefix Houghton and his RI National Guard unit in Kuwait. Thats community engagement, thats accountability and professionalism, he said. Deputy Chief Costa serves as the executive officer for the department and is the second in command. You have permission to edit this article. You have permission to edit this article. The Town of South Kingstown, Rhode Island is a coastal community covering 63 square miles with more than 30,000 full time residents. Rhode Island owes a debt of gratitude to Vincent for his service to our state and country. he said. Were so fortunate to have had Chief Ewing-Chow for that many years and to lead the department these last couple of years, Murphy said. Vespia turned him down. In the next few weeks he plans to listen to the departments officers as well as the community. You have permission to edit this article. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Judy and his daughters Robin and Renee. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Perhaps even more importantly, said many, Vespia was also a role model for those aspiring to be law enforcement officers or just beginning their careers. He also said that the town management throughout the years, including the town council and various town departments, have helped him in a variety of ways both as chief and as he rose through the ranks with more responsibilities related to both law enforcement and administration. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. I worked for him for more than 28 years. Anytime he addressed the council, he presented clearly with integrity. Another defining moment in his career was a decision to remain rather than leave for another offer coming shortly after getting the top law enforcement job in South Kingstown. South Kingstown fire protection is provided by the Union Fire District of South Kingstown, a volunteer department. During the meeting last week, Boudreau praised the chief for the work he had done and urged his council colleagues to support the chief by abiding by the chiefs request for additional troopers to help with the summer tourists. Open Government; South Kingstown Assessment Board of Review. How do I contact the prosecution division? Moynihan has a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Northeastern University and a master of criminal justice in cybercrime investigation and cybersecurity from Boston University Metropolitan College. In my phone, he is simply, The Chief. No name following it. Weve come a long way especially in the last few years, he said. Its been a great career, Ewing-Chow said. Tanzi's bill would make permanent COVID-19 programs that eliminated the need for students to pay for their own meals and, she says, would "encourage schools to purchase food from local farms, ask schools to engage with the community to cook culturally relevant meals and allow parents with means to pay for meals if they choose." Keep it Clean. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, 2 North Kingstown high schoolers credited with saving, RI lobster trap tag washes ashore on Scotland beach, Retired New England sports legends among Mass. Special to the Independent. I intend to spend as much time with my family as I can, especially my four grandchildren. Manni in an interview said, He was a trooper through and through.. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. A few clouds. Joe Geaber, who joined the force in 1975, said Vespia gave officers the room to work on their own, if needed, but always had his eyes open throughout the department. Administer traffic detail program for road projects, etc. Hes been a consummate professional, a class act and mentor to all those police officers junior him. After that, I hope to help my son with his landscape construction business and practice law, he said. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Prepare Police Department Annual Report by calendar year to provide transparent reporting of Departmental statistics to the public. SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) Campus Safety Magazine has narrowed down the field for its Director of the Year award, and a local police chief has been named . Welcome to the South Kingstown School Department! SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. This South County town unanimously voted to hire Col. James Manni, the head of the Rhode Island State Police for the last three years, as its new town manager Monday . The department said Vespia led a 57 year career in law enforcement, serving as Chief for South Kingstown for 35 years before passing away at 84 years old. As chief Ewing-Chow also oversaw several promotions within the department. and are the after-hours dispatch for the Westerly Water Dept. I found him to be very focused, determined, and competitive. Both he and Manni said they would return his salute. Members of the Safe Kids Rhode Island, Narragansett Police Department and South Kingstown Police Department will be at Sand Hill Cove, Narragansett, RI for a free child car seat checkpoint today from 11am - 2pm. Special to the Independent. Praising Geaber, Zarnetske said, he has served this community well. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Chief Of Police 2020 - Present3 years South Kingstown, Rhode Island, United States I was promoted to lead strategy development, ensuring vision, mission, and principles of the Police. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Awaiting The Monday Night - Tuesday Storm Live Weather Cams - Providence, Rhode Island. Cloudy and windy with periods of rain ending in the afternoon. His wife, Mary Jane and son Aidan, 19, were by his side for the ceremony and photos. that is degrading to another person. SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. South Kingstown Police Chief Joseph P. Geaber will retire July 9 after more than 45 years in the same department he eventually led and brought through a rigorous process of policy changes to achieve state accreditation for its professionalism and standards. A dedicated public servant, he spent over five decades in law enforcement protecting our communities.. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. A few clouds. That connection to family is a trait that impressed James Tierney, now Narragansett town manager, who worked as a police officer with Geaber for 28 years. South Kingstown Town Manager James Manni said Moynihan will start with the town June 26, taking over for Joel Ewing-Chow, who retired in April. In 2012 and about five years before he retired, Vespia talked about a chiefs administrative duties, an unappealing part of the job that took him away from a part he loved. We have the watch, he said. That was one of the better classes Id seen, Manni said. Threats of harming another SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) The South Kingstown Police Department shared they are mourning the loss of retired Chief Vincent Vespia Jr. accounts, the history behind an article. 1790 Kingstown Road Wakefield, RI 02879 Phone: (401) 783-3321 Fax: (401) 788-9775 Emergency: 911 TTY/TDD Dial 711 Matthew Moynihan Chief Alfred Bucco Deputy Chief Mark Sgalia Police Captain James Krajewski Acting Police Captain I am disturbed that the councils refusal to pay state police detail would make our police officers feel unsupported and unappreciated, said Boudreau in a statemen to ABC 6 News. I also would run into him occasionally at the former River Bend Athletic Club. Integrity, trustworthiness and fairness were the hallmarks of his career. Saying Rhode Island "can't afford" to go back to pre-pandemic days where students were unable to eat at school because their parents couldn't afford to pay for them, Representative Teresa Tanzi (D-Dist. 22, of South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Promote traffic safety initiatives through education and enforcement. Address traffic safety issues in the community. Share with Us. We want to work with our communities to make things right the best way we can.. Do you believe schools have a responsibility to provide their students with universal, free breakfast and lunch? Captain Joel Ewing-Chow, who has served as the interim chief since July, was named the full-time replacement Friday, and was sworn in on Monday. Though there were tensions, the peaceful march ended with no arrests. Chance of rain 100%. In the short time I have known him, I have come to consider him a friend. While on the police. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. A few clouds. Email: He had a 57-year career in law enforcement that included serving as the state police intelligence detective in organized crime. Winds NNE at 20 to 30 mph. High 49F. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. He grew up on Federal Hill and the East Side of Providence, served two years. In another way, Vespias death brings yet to two young boys the loss of a mentor and a reminder about the inevitable changes that come with the passing of time. Washington County Rhode Island Live Audio Feeds. just south of the RI State Police Wickford Barracks. It notes one last ceremonial radio call to the officer, followed by a silence, then perhaps a second call, followed by silence. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism He touched more than just police officers, though. But he also gave us the leeway for us to do what we needed to do. Vespia remembered by colleagues for decorated career, love of community, By Bill Seymour The written exam will be held at South Kingstown High School, 215 Columbia St., Wakefield, RI 02879 on Wednesday, June 21 st, 2017 at 5:30pm.