Chief retires after 35 years of police work in Barrington

Dino DeCrescenzo retires from police department

By Josh Bickford
Posted 6/30/21

Dino DeCrescenzo had been on the job for less than a year when he responded to a disturbance in Bay Spring.

He was working the overnight shift and was not sure what to expect when he drove his …

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Chief retires after 35 years of police work in Barrington

Dino DeCrescenzo retires from police department

Posted

Dino DeCrescenzo had been on the job for less than a year when he responded to a disturbance in Bay Spring.

He was working the overnight shift and was not sure what to expect when he drove his cruiser up to a group of eight men — they were maybe a year or two younger than he was, and it was clear they had had a few beers that night. They hollered at the young police offer, told him off, and then waited to see what he would do.

Within a few minutes they were all fighting. They threw punches. One of the men jumped on his back.

In those days, there were only two officers assigned to the overnight shift, so Barrington called East Providence for back-up. Eventually, the police officers had all eight of the Barrington residents locked up back at the station.

The next morning they had sobered up, recalled Chief DeCrescenzo, during a recent interview. He said the men apologized for getting a little carried away. They shook hands and were on their way. 

Barrington was a bit different 35 years ago when Chief DeCrescenzo began his work with the local police department. This Friday, July 2, marks the end of his time with the BPD. One of the longest-serving police officers in the department’s history said he will miss his work in town, and the relationships he built over the years.

On Friday, June 25, the town held a special send-off for Chief DeCrescenzo. 

“It was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made,” Chief DeCrescenzo said. “I wrestled with the thought for weeks. I have been with the Barrington Police Department since graduating from Bryant College and that turns out to be almost my entire adult life.”

Early days

Chief DeCrescenzo had a plan. After graduating from college, he wanted to work for a municipal police department for a few years and then make the move to federal law enforcement. He was considering the FBI or Secret Service. 

But his plans changed, and in 1991 he was promoted to sergeant, earlier than he had anticipated. He also discovered that he loved the work in Barrington.

“This town was a lot busier than I ever thought it would be,” he said. 

Every night presented a new challenge, and July Fourth presented a lot of challenges. Chief DeCrescenzo said Bay Spring would come alive before the Fourth, with huge parties, enormous bonfires, a slew of unlicensed fireworks and some raucous behavior.

He remembers driving slowly down Blanding Avenue, his cruiser surrounded by hundreds of people. The sky was afire with fireworks, and bonfires crackled at nearby Latham Park.

“We had bottle rockets coming right at us,” he said. “They were going over us, under us.”

The chief said there were competing bonfires — one on the Terrace in Riverside and one at Latham Park. 

“They were massive,” he said. 

One year, the fire department decided it needed to put out the bonfire. It was too big, too dangerous.

The angry crowd responded to the unwelcome news.

“They tried to cut the (fire department’s) hoses,” Chief DeCrescenzo said. 

The years passed, and he continued to climb in rank, from sergeant to detective sergeant, then to detective lieutenant, and then to detective captain. In 2019, he was promoted to police chief following the retirement of John LaCross. 

Along the way, Chief DeCrescenzo worked on some of the town’s highest profile cases: armed robberies, shootings, the attempted bombing of a doctor’s office on Maple Avenue, the murder of the Brendel family, the murder of Katie Brown, and many fatal accidents.

In Sept. 1991, the Brendel family went missing and foul play was suspected. The department conducted hundreds of searches looking for the missing father, mother and daughter. 

Chief DeCrescenzo said there was a stack of papers inches thick of possible leads and areas to search. Each day he spent hours following up on the leads. 

On Nov. 7, a Barrington resident walking her dog found the shallow grave containing all three Brendels. Chief DeCrescenzo was there when they exhumed them. 

He said the hardest part of his job was seeing families in crisis, and having to conduct death notifications. 

The most rewarding part of his work was hearing from people who said he made a positive difference in their lives.

“I have enjoyed every minute of the experience and when I think back on over thirty-five years, I realize to some extent, I have forgotten more than I remember. I have been approached by so many residents of the community thanking me for helping them, their families, and or their child in a time of crisis,” he said. “So many have said that I had an everlasting and positive influence on someone in their family and I never knew or realized it. Nothing is more rewarding than hearing from these families.”

Those who have watched Chief DeCrescenzo in action said his approach to the job and to those he encounters has made all the difference.

Said Barrington Police Detective Ben Ferreira, “While in detectives we often referred to Chief DeCrescenzo as a ‘friend of the common man’ as he always treated everyone (including individuals under investigation) with the same amount of respect and dignity.”

Chief DeCrescenzo said that approach is just part of who he is.

“I learned early on not to judge,” he said. 

And while Chief DeCrescenzo’s approach has not changed, the police department’s work has. More of the job is conducted with computers and cell phones than face-to-face meetings and knocking on doors.

“I miss that,” he said, of the more traditional police work. “Maybe I’m old school. I don’t like sitting behind a computer.”

The chief said he has prioritized community involvement for his officers. 

Chief DeCrescenzo said his years with Barrington Police were very rewarding, although the work can be challenging and place strain upon one’s personal life. He said there were many occasions when he had to miss a family event when work called.

“It will take quite some time to find a new normal in my life after serving for so many years with the same department. I will miss it dearly,” he said.

Farewell from the force

Some members of the Barrington Police Department shared comments about the retiring police chief:

• From Josh Birrell: “Over the course of my 26 year career in Barrington I have worked with local, state, and federal agencies throughout the region and across the country but can honestly say Chief Decrescenzo is one of the finest people and professionals I have ever had the pleasure to serve with. He has taught me more about life and law enforcement than anyone I've ever known and for that I am forever grateful.  I thank him, congratulate him, and wish him all the best in life going forward. He will be sorely missed."

• From Ben Ferreira: “I worked directly with Chief Dino DeCrescenzo for 9 years while in the Detective Division. He was a great leader, investigator, and mentor. He was the ultimate professional (in dress and duty) and exhibited the highest level of integrity. He will be greatly missed.”

• From Kevin Igoe: “I have worked with Dino for over 26 years and during that time, I have always considered him to be a mentor. When I started as a police officer in 1995, Dino was one of my first supervisors and he has guided me through my career ever since. Dino has taught me how to be a police officer, supervisor, and union leader. During the 90’s Dino worked tirelessly as the Police Union’s President (IBPO # 351) to fight for many of the benefits that the men and women of the Barrington Police Department still enjoy today. His leadership, guidance, experience, and overall knowledge will be greatly missed by myself and the rest of the Barrington Police Department. The Town of Barrington is truly losing one of it’s most valuable employees. I wish Dino all the best in retirement and whatever the future has in store for him.” 

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