FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8/23/2023
CONTACT INFORMATION:
East Providence Police Department
Captain Michael Rapoza
Public Information Officer
(401)-435-7600
East Providence Police touts success in recruitment
EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – Over the last several years, police departments across the state and country have encountered difficulties with recruiting new police officers. Contrary to the trend, the East Providence Police Department has found success in recruiting officers to join the rank and file over the last 18 months all while facing retirements and other staffing shortages. Department leaders point to several factors that have contributed to the influx of new hires. Cooperation between police administrators, city leaders and union officials helped to develop a recruitment program that focused on lateral transfers along with new recruits.
The East Providence Police Department’s Planning and Training Unit has worked tirelessly over the past year and a half to onboard 24 new officers, 13 of whom are lateral transfers from other police departments. With the anticipation of three more lateral transfers being added this month and three recruits currently attending the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy, the total number of new officers hired since 2022 will be 30.
“Upon my appointment as Chief of Police, hiring qualified candidates was the highest priority,” Chief Chris Francesconi said. “The men and women of our agency have worked tirelessly to recruit, vet, support and train this unprecedented number of hires and I commend them for that. We have attracted some great folks to join our ranks.”
During this time of tremendous growth, the City of East Providence has continued to see a drop in our crime rate year after year.
“I am so very proud of the men and women of our East Providence Police Department and the work they do in our community,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “I am especially proud of the fact that there has been a steady decrease in criminal offenses over the last six years.
“Our administration has been laser-focused in bringing the East Providence Police Department to full staff,” DaSilva added.
The East Providence Police Department is currently recruiting entry-level police officers. The application deadline is September 6, 2023. The department is also hiring certified lateral transfers through the end of December 2023. Interested parties should apply HERE:
https://www.policeapp.com/Certified-East-Providence-RI-Police-Officer-Jobs/1730/
https://www.policeapp.com/Entry-Level-East-Providence-RI-Police-Officer-Jobs/1729/
| 01/01 THROUGH 07/31 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Murder | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Negligent Manslaughter | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Justifiable Homicide | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 5 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Robbery | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 27 | 19 | 17 | 47 | 38 | 7 | 7 |
| Burglary | 39 | 38 | 44 | 25 | 18 | 31 | 16 |
| Larceny | 250 | 233 | 202 | 150 | 133 | 168 | 129 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 23 | 28 | 49 | 20 | 21 | 31 | 31 |
| Arson | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Simple Assault | 142 | 132 | 150 | 77 | 91 | 106 | 90 |
| Intimidation | 20 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
| Bribery | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Counterfeiting/Forgery | 17 | 15 | 21 | 35 | 27 | 14 | 26 |
| Vandalism | 168 | 144 | 152 | 104 | 130 | 127 | 95 |
| Drug/Narcotic Violations | 83 | 128 | 87 | 50 | 71 | 34 | 33 |
| Drug Equipment Violations | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Embezzlement | 3 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Extortion/Blackmail | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Fraud | 65 | 57 | 91 | 94 | 81 | 55 | 56 |
| Gambling | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Kidnapping | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Pornography | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Prostitution | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Sodomy | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Sexual Assault w/ Object | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Fondling | 7 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 11 |
| Incest | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 01/01 THROUGH 07/31 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Statutory Rape | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stolen Property | 14 | 17 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Weapons Laws Violations | 10 | 19 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 8 | 8 |
| Human Trafficking, Commercial Sex Acts | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Human Trafficking, Involuntary Servitude | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Animal Cruelty | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| TOTAL OFFENSES REPORTED | 891 | 873 | 885 | 672 | 672 | 620 | 542 |
