We are closer to finding out who the new Providence Police Chief is going to be. Mayor Brett Smiley has released the names of the three finalists for the position. Those three will appear at a public forum Wednesday night at 5:30pm at the Providence Career and Technical Academy on Fricker Street.
“I am excited to introduce the community to three exceptional candidates who I believe exemplify we want in their next Chief of Police- a dedicated public servant that will work with the community to increase our overall public safety,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “I want to encourage Providence residents and community members to meet these candidates at our public forum Wednesday night.”
The three finalists are:
Major Kevin Lanni- a member of the department for some 25 years. He began as a patrolman in the Community Policing Unit and now is the Commanding Officer of Narcotics, Firearms and Organized Crime.
Major David Lapatin is a veteran of the department for 39 years – also starting as a patrolman. He is currently the Commanding Officer of the Investigative Division.
Commander Oscar Perez has been with the Department for 29 years and was Deputy Chief where he oversees daily operations and administration. He developed the department’s Community Policing Bureau.
Wednesday night the candidates will be asked questions based on the bilingual survey. It is unclear how quickly the mayor will act on naming a new chief after the Wednesday session.