by Abigail Appel | Sep 21, 2021 | Council News, Ward-5, Ward-7
Providence Finance Committee Approves Creation of New Administrator of Community Relations & Diversion Position Within Police Department
Ordinances clarify that new position is civilian with no law enforcement powers, while retaining new Major position within the Providence Police Department for a qualified law enforcement professional.
This evening, the Providence City Council’s Committee on Finance voted to approve two ordinances creating and funding a new civilian “Administrator of Community Relations and Diversion” position within the Providence Police Department. The ordinance creating the position clearly details the duties of the new administrator position as a civilian within the police department with no law enforcement powers.
“When my colleagues on the City Council learned that a newly created Major position within the Providence Police Department was being filled with a civilian with no previous policing experience, we heard loud and clear from police and community organizations that this would create confusion about roles, while also passing over highly qualified officers within the police department,” said Councilwoman and Finance Chair Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5). “This was not what the Council intended when we included this position in our original FY 2022 budget, and why we have passed this new amended ordinance, sponsored by Council President Igliozzi, which very clearly details that the Administrator of Community Relations & Diversion is a civilian, administrative position within the police department with no law enforcement powers.”
Continued Ryan, “The Council supports the need for this position to better build trust between our police and the diverse communities across our city. By passing these ordinances we will create this new Administrator of Community Relations & Diversion position while also preserving the Major position within the Providence Police Department for a highly qualified law enforcement professional.”
“We all agree on the importance of maintaining the integrity of the Providence Police Department, while also improving community-police relations. This ordinance will do just that by creating a new Administrator of Community Relations & Diversion position within the police department, and explicitly defining this as a civilian role,” said Council President John Igliozzi (Ward 7). “I commend Chairwoman Ryan and my colleagues on the Finance Committee for their work on this ordinance and look forward to its passage by the full City Council in the coming weeks.”
A job description for the new Administrator of Community Relations & Diversion position has been created and can be found here.
The ordinances approved by the Finance Committee will now go to the full City Council for final approval, expected in October.
by Abigail Appel | Sep 8, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-7
City Council President John J. Igliozzi, joined by other Council colleagues has sent an open letter urging Mayor Jorge Elorza to work with the Council to reclassify the Community Relations and Diversion Services Police Major position to a Public Safety Community-Police Liaison, and to clarify that the new role is a civilian position. The open letter also notes that the Council is prepared to authorize a new Police Major position to provide a much-needed opportunity for a minority police officer to rise within the department’s ranks.
Today, the budget ordinances will be reintroduced to rename the new position and clarify its scope and role, and to create a new Police Major position.
The full open letter to Mayor Elorza can be found in PDF format using this link.
by Abigail Appel | Sep 4, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-7
“The City Council strongly supports the creation of a Community Relations and Diversion Services Major position to build greater trust between our police force and the diverse communities of our city. That is why we included funding for such a position in our FY 2022 budget.
Michael Stephens has a commendable record of community leadership and service with the Providence Recreation Department. These are admirable qualifications for a civilian community-police liaison position.
They are, however, not the qualifications for the position of Major within the Providence Police Department’s command structure, particularly as many other trained officers have worked hard to move up the ranks within our police force.
The City Council stands ready to work with Mayor Elorza to change the name and scope of this position from Providence Police Department Major to Public Safety Community-Police Liaison. This will resolve any confusion about roles and make clear that this is a civilian position.”
by Abigail Appel | Sep 3, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-7
Last night, the Providence City Council honored the 13 U.S. service men and women members and 90 Afghans who lost their lives in a suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 26th. Council President John Igliozzi led the full Council in honoring the servicemembers during the Council meeting’s invocation, recognizing each fallen service member, followed by the playing of the “taps” bugle call.
“The City Council honors the 13 U.S. service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our country,” said Council President Igliozzi. “We honor them for their service to our nation and our condolences go out to their families and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Service members honored:
•Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, of Lawrence MA, assigned to 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Naval Support Activity Bahrain
•Sergeant Nicole LeGee, 23, of Sacramento CA, assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejuene, NC
•Staff Sergeant Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City UT, Infantry Unit Leader
•Corporal Hunter Lopez, 22, Indio California, Rifleman
•Corporal Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha Nebraska, Rifleman
•Corporal Humberto Sanchez, 22, of Logansport Indiana, Rifleman
•Lance Corporal David L. Espinosa, 20, of Rio Bravo TX, Rifleman
•Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles Missouri, Rifleman
•Lance Corporal Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson Wyoming, Rifleman
•Lance Corporal Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Ranch Cucamanga California, Rifleman
•Lance Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco California
•Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, OH, assigned to 1st Marine Reg., 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California
•Staff Sergeant Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Coryton Tennessee, Assigned to PSYOP Battallion, 8th PSYOP Group, Fort Briggs North Carolina
by Abigail Appel | Sep 2, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-7
“The Superman Building is an icon of our city that has sadly been sitting vacant for eight years. All options should be explored to save this beautiful and historic structure, including opportunities for redevelopment by the current owner, and ownership transfer. There are many tools the city and state have at their disposal to make sure the Superman Building is given a second life, and I look forward to input from Providence residents, the business community, planners, preservationists, economic development experts, and my colleagues in government as we continue the public discussion on the fate of this iconic building.”
by Abigail Appel | Aug 31, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5, Ward-7
30 ATVs confiscated in just the last two weeks, since Igliozzi and Ryan called for enforcement of the City Council’s ATV ordinances
City Council President John Igliozzi (Ward 7) and Councilwoman and Finance Chair Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) are commending the Providence Police Department for cracking down on illegal ATVs, which led to the seizure of 30 ATVs over just the last two weeks.
“Nearly three weeks ago, I called a special session of the Providence City Council to address crime including roving gangs of illegal ATVs that have been terrorizing our neighborhoods,” said Council President Igliozzi. “At that hearing, I called for immediate action to enforce existing City Council ordinances designed to stop these illegal vehicles. That is why I am so pleased to see the reports that 30 ATVs have been confiscated in just the last two weeks. This is an impressive increase in enforcement given that over the past 4 years, only approximately 50 ATVs have been confiscated each year. I want to thank the Providence Police Department and our dedicated police officers for their work on this important public safety and quality of life issue, and for permanently removing 30 more illegal ATVs from our streets.”
“Out of control ATV gangs have been thumbing their nose at our laws and causing fear in our neighborhoods for far too long. In 2017 I drafted and enacted legislation to keep dangerous ATVs off our City streets. In doing so, my Council colleagues and I created a clear, legal framework that prohibited the operation of illegal ATVs and gave the Providence Police Department the power to seize and destroy any ATVs operating illegally. I want to thank the Providence Police Department for recently confiscating 30 of these illegal vehicles and responding to our call for enforcement,” said Councilwoman Ryan. “While there is more to be done, this is real and immediate action to enforce ordinances already passed by the City Council to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
