WARREN — On the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 23, Lt. Peter Achilli was called to the Warren Town Hall Chambers to be met by Town Clerk Julie Coelho, Town Manager Richard Paduch and his wife, Sandra. And after he walked out, he was decorated with a badge officially naming him the new Chief of Police of the Warren Police Department. He replaces Chief Thomas Gordon who announced his retirement about a month ago.

“I was pleasantly surprised,” said Chief Achilli, noting he heard rumors of his promotion before being officially sworn in as the top ranking cop.

“I heard rumblings but I didn’t know for sure.”

Chief Achilli has a long history in the department. Upon graduating from Warren High School, the new chief said he considered three career options; the U. S. Coast Guard, the Merchant Marine, or the police force. Attracted to the “variety of duties” of the department, Chief Achilli enrolled as a reserve officer in 1983 after a position opened up in the Warren Police and was later elevated to full-time three years later. Through the decades of service he rose to the ranks of lieutenant. He said the job never gets boring.

“It changes everyday. It’s a fulfilling job,” said the chief.

When asked which projects are the most fulfilling, he said two cases stand out in his mind; the 1978 Jamiel murder and the murder of James and Marian Soares who were allegedly killed by their son in 2008. Both cases are still open and being investigated by the department.

“Those stick out, they’re interesting cases,” said Chief Achilli.

And though there are certain advantages to working in a town with a population of approximately 11,000 residents, sometimes the hometown feel can seem like a fish tank.

“Warren is a small town. No matter what, if you investigate someone, someone knows someone involved,” said Chief Achilli.

However the chief said that doesn’t keep him from being himself.

“I don’t have a public persona. I am who I am,” he said.

But according to the chief, the department doesn’t accept just anyone who applies for an entry-level police job. In 1983, he was given a written and psychological test to enter the police ranks. Now, he said, the demands are more strict as a Physical Test is also mandatory for aspiring cops. He said Lt. Joseph Loiselle is certified by the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy to administer the tests which require participants to do push ups and run within a time bracket. On top of his high school diploma, Chief Achilli has an associates degree from Community College of Rhode Island and is currently taking classes to complete his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Roger Williams University.

When not taking classes or putting in time on the job, the chief said he spends time with his two children and wife. He also likes to boat and fish. However, he said relaxing time is more constricted as the chief looks to the files piled on his new desk. And though he has some ideas for change which he will not yet disclose, he aims to keep the department structured similarly, noting former Police Chief Gordon’s absence will be felt.

“I have some initiatives … But if it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” he said.