FAQs

All parking or city ordinance violations issued on a City parking tag can be paid at the East Providence Municipal Court, City Hall 145 Taunton Ave., East Providence. The violator has the option of paying in person, mailing payment, or denying the violation and requesting a court hearing.

If a motorist is issued a motor vehicle violation on a State of Rhode Island summons, the person must follow the instructions included with the violation and determine by reading the bottom of the violation as to the court of jurisdiction being the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal, or the East Providence Municipal Court. If the fine is payable (indicated by a dollar amount in the payment due box), then the motorist has the option of paying in person, by mail, or may instead request a court hearing. RI Traffic Tribunal tickets can be also be paid by telephone and Internet.

If you have a driving record with no moving violations within the 3 years prior to the violation date, then you may request that your summons be dismissed by pleading guilty utilizing the good driving record and upon paying court costs. Out-of-State residents must bring a certified copy of their driving record from their State's DMV to the hearing in order to request dismissal.

Call the main number at 401-435-7600 and make a request for a detail officer. Please make sure you have all the information regarding the detail or event when you are calling to make the request. Frequent contractors can arrange for detail billing by calling the Records Unit payroll clerk at 435-7600. Otherwise, be prepared to pay at the time of the detail, cash or check, to the police department. Officers are paid a minimum of 4 hours and then in single increments of 1 hour after. A minimum of 2 hours notice is required to cancel a scheduled detail. Otherwise, the contractor is required to pay the 4-hour minimum to the Department. The current detail rate is $60.00 per officer, per hour. The police cruiser rate is $25.00 per hour, per vehicle, with a 4-hour minimum.

Fingerprints are taken on Wednesday afternoon by appointment only. The operator will schedule your appointment by visiting the station or by calling 401-435-7600. A fee of $45.00 is due at the time of the appointment. For a background check, the Attorney General’s Office, 4 Howard Ave, Cranston, RI has the necessary application forms.

Inspections are done at Women & Infants Hospital near the valet area.

Complaints on police officers can be filed in multiple ways:

1. At the police station by speaking to the Shift Commander (Officer in Charge) who will take information from you to process the complaint.
2. By filling out this form HERE
3. By filling out a form  available at the East Providence Police Station lobby, the department's Office of Professional Standards, 610 Waterman Ave .and City Hall 145 Taunton Ave. 

The East Providence Police Department performs VIN checks Monday – Friday subject to availability, excluding major holidays, from 11AM to 2:45 PM. The cost is $20 per vehicle (we accept cash, check, or money order). If the title is from another state or the vehicle was registered in another state, and the model year of the vehicle is 2001 or newer, a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check is required before you register the car. Both the vehicle and title must be present at the Police Station for a VIN check*

Adult persons twenty-one (21) years of age or over having a bona fide residence or place of business within the city or town may make an application to the Chief of Police of the City of East Providence. The application may be picked up in person at the East Providence Police Station and the applicant must show that they have good reason to fear an injury to his or her person or property or has any other proper reason for carrying a pistol or revolver and that he or she is a suitable person to be so licensed.

Go to the 6th District Court, 2nd floor, Family Court, for a request for a restraining order. Police Departments can issue a domestic restraining order on an emergency basis when the RI Courts are closed. The order is issued after consultation with a judge and issued under the full force and authority of the judge and the RIGL. The restraining order issued by the police on an emergency basis will expire when the court opens.

Anyone can come in, fill out a request form and submit that form for a copy of a record.   However, RI State Law has rules that must be followed prior to disseminating records.  This is to protect one’s privacy as well as to inform the general public.  A balancing test is employed along with a review of the rules governing the release of records.  Juvenile records, for instance, are much more restrictive than adults.  Most records are releasable within and are available within a reasonably short period of time, but not all records can be released immediately.  

There is a $0.15 cent per page fee that is charged and may be collected in advance.  There may also be a $15.00 per hour research charge after the first hour.   It is best to review the RI Open Records Law for additional information (view Open Records Law).

Email: Policerecords@eastprovidenceri.gov

The East Providence Police Department follows the State’s Open Records Law when dispensing all reports.   Stop by the main lobby Records Unit of the East Providence Police Department during normal business hours and fill out a request.  Normally your report will be ready within three business days.  Larger accidents, or those requiring special expertise of the traffic unit may take longer.  There is a charge of  $0.15 per page.  

You may also obtain a copy of your accident report online by visiting www.buycrash.com

Periodically the City opens up the recruitment process. The City, when in the process of hiring, advertises in the major area newspapers, as well as publicized on the City website. It is best to call the Human Resources office at City Hall, 145 Taunton Ave. 401-435-7766 to see if/when the City is accepting applications. Officers selected must pass a physical agility test, a written exam, a psychological exam, an oral interview, and an extensive background check. Individuals selected are well rounded, with proven integrity, are morally and ethically responsible and who are devoted to a law enforcement career with the City of East Providence Police Department.

If the department does not have an active police officer recruitment in process and you would like to be notified when the recruitment process begins, please fill out this required form . You will be notified via e-mail when a new recruitment process begins. 

Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm, excluding major holidays.

The Division is made up of: The Records Unit and Central Communications (Police and Fire Dispatcher Unit). Also under the Services Unit is the Physical Plant, Computer, Telephone and Police/Fire Radio System.

Blackboard Connect is a city-to-resident notification service that allows City officials to notify residents and businesses by telephone, cell phone, text message, email and social media regarding time-sensitive general and emergency notifications. Only authorized officials have access to the Blackboard Connect system. To learn more about this service, visit our "Blackboard Connect" page.

There is information posted on the State of RI Emergency Management web site that applies in general and also to the City of East Providence.

Damaged bins can be exchanged once a month at no charge. Lost or stolen bins can be replaced for a $5 fee per set. Call 435-7710 for the next date and location. (Additional Recycling Information)

The City currently takes online payments for Water Utility and Tax bills. Please have your bill.
Please note there is a convenience fee for paying online.

Phase Out $500
Water Rates $4.35/100 cubic feet 
Sewer Charge $10.74/100 cubic feet after the first 292 cubic feet

Call the Police Department at 435-7600.

Building permits are required for structural, electrical and plumbing improvements. Permits are not required for painting. Please contact the Building Inspection Office at 435-7722 to determine what, if any, permit is required.