Providence, RI – Tonight, councilors unanimously passed amendments to strengthen civilian oversight of the Providence Police Department by expanding the Providence External Review Authority’s (PERA’s) oversight powers.
The updated ordinance will correct significant inefficiency in PERA’s investigative process by giving PERA direct access to many internal police systems and records for official PERA functions. The ordinance will help reduce the time it takes to conduct proper investigations, support more thorough investigations, and ensure PERA can carry out its responsibilities with greater independence, while including significant confidentiality protections.
“Tonight’s vote empowers PERA to fulfill its original mission—to provide effective civilian oversight of the Providence Police Department,” said Council President Rachel Miller. “For too long, PERA has not had the tools, access, or authority needed to carry out full and transparent investigations on behalf of city residents. This ordinance helps make the Council’s promise real, which will ultimately strengthen the trust between residents and the city institutions meant to serve them.”
The amendments also add a directive to periodically audit Internal Affairs investigations and the creation of an Early Warning System to flag officers involved in incidents of concern. These reforms will give people who report police misconduct a clearer path to review from outside the police department, strengthening accountability and increasing public safety.
“The changes to the PERA ordinance are necessary for us to effectively and efficiently carry out our mandate to conduct fair, thorough, and impartial police oversight operations,” said Ferenc Karoly, Esq., the Executive Director of PERA. “These amendments will allow us to accurately assess police misconduct cases and report those results out to the public to improve the quality of police services and increase trust between the community and the police department. Our goal is to serve the community in collaboration with the police department to ensure civil rights are protected and misconduct is reduced through accountability and transparency.”
Tonight, councilors also finalized passage of zoning and licensing regulations for entertainment in Providence. These amendments allow amplified live music, trivia, and karaoke in bars and restaurants and expand opportunities for temporary entertainment events while establishing certain rules and an annual licensing fee for these activities. The amendments also set firm end times for indoor incidental live music (9 p.m. on weeknights and 11 p.m. on weekends), while keeping in place noise regulations in consideration of nearby residents.
The updated zoning and new licensing ordinances together create a balanced solution that supports artists, restaurants, and patrons in the Creative Capital while maintaining calm and quiet neighborhoods for residents.
The next regular City Council meeting will convene on June 18, 2026.
