The Barrington Police Department has entered into an agreement with Family Service of Rhode Island. 

The partnership, said Barrington Police Chief Michael Correia, will help the department provide support to those who have experienced traumatic events. 

“This group (Family Service) will help with continued care,” Chief Correia said. 

Family Service of Rhode Island provides immediate and ongoing help to children and families traumatized by crime and violence. The organization also has partnerships with the Providence Police, East Providence Police, and Rhode Island State Police.

Chief Correia said the decision to enter into an agreement with Family Service of Rhode Island is aimed at helping the local department continue its holistic approach to policing.  

“To me, it a more compassionate way to police,” Chief Correia said. 

He added that police work, in the past, did not always focus on the continued care for victims. He said Family Service of Rhode Island is working to undo that… trying to stop the circle of family violence. 

Chief Correia said some police departments have hired social workers who are embedded with police officers. In Barrington, Family Service will create a similar approach. 

“This is a crisis go-team,” Chief Correia said. “You call. They go.”

The Family Service of Rhode Island staff are quick to respond, said Chief Correia. He added that Family Service will not replace the work done by DCYF in Rhode Island. 

Barrington has already utilized Family Service of Rhode Island on a handle of cases. Chief Correia said the partnership with Family Service is an example of the policing industry maturing, evolving and improving. 

“It’s a real good way to do business,” Chief Correia said. 

“We’ll continue to use it.”