It was a night to remember for Bristol Police Chief Kevin M. Lynch, who was sworn in as the new president of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association (RIPCA). The ceremony took place Friday evening at the Global Heritage Hall on the Roger Williams University campus.

Admittedly, Chief Lynch was a bit nervous before the actual oath of office took place later on in the program, but being surrounded by the 140 family members, colleagues and friends in attendance made things a lot easier.
“I’m humble pie,” said the Chief, without hesitation. “I was a little nervous, but to see all these wonderful people here on my behalf was very gratifying.”

He continued, “The Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association has been, and will continue to be, committed in its pursuit of excellence as we strive to work closer with citizens and community partners alike in an ongoing effort to form sustaining foundations for safe and secure communities; foundations formed to endure socioeconomic instability and variations in crime rates. Our active engagement on issues of public safety policy and legislation will help shape the future of law enforcement and strengthen trust and respect of the policing profession.”

Following a pre-installation get-together in the upstairs area Global Heritage Hall, the event moved downstairs where the official installation program began with greetings and introductions by Master of Ceremonies, Chief Elwood M. Johnson, Jr., of the Richmond Police Department. The Presentation of Colors was under the direction of the Bristol Police Honor Guard, followed by a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by vocalist Victoria Carroll. Invocation was the given by Father Joseph A. Escobar, R.I. Police Chiefs Association Chaplain.

Formal greetings were then administered by Roger Williams University President Ioannis Miaoulis, Bristol Town Administrator Steven Contente, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, Governor Daniel J. McKee and Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.

Said Contente: “I am proud that Chief Lynch is the new President of the RI Police Chiefs Association. Policing is always evolving and the Chiefs Association has always provided good data and experience based recommendations for public safety policy. Chief Lynch is an outstanding leader, he researches issues and does not hesitate to make changes to improve the profession and police services. Police work is an honorable and rewarding career and it is so important that Chief Lynch and the other Chiefs that volunteer for the Association Executive Board share their experience and values especially to those that are considering entering the profession. It was great to see so many people supporting the organization last night and also giving to the RI Special Olympics Charity.”

Other local politicians in attendance that honored Chief Lynch included State Representatives Susan R. Donovan and June Speakman and State Sen. Walter S. Felag Jr. Bristol Town Council members in attendance were Nathan Calouro, Timothy Sweeney, Antonio Teixeira, Mary A. Parella, and Aaron Ley. Town Clerk Melissa Cordeiro was also present.

Also on the program were representatives from AT&T Officer Wellness Program and John Emra, president of the AT&T Atlantic Region.

Roger Williams President Miaoulis said: “Chief Lynch exemplifies excellence in public-service leadership for Rhode Island and as a role model for our Criminal Justice students to aspire to, both professionally and in his continued engagement with the university as an alumnus and faculty member. Roger Williams University appreciates our close collaboration with the Bristol Police Department and Chief Lynch’s command staff, and their support and participation in gaining continued professional development through our Justice System Training & Research Institute. Last year, Bristol was named the number-one safest college town in America – and the credit for that goes to the entire Bristol police department, but especially to Chief Lynch’s leadership.”     

The moment everyone was waiting for, Chief Lynch followed with the Administration of the Oath Office by the Honorable Pamela Woodcock Pfeiffer, R.I. District Court Associate Judge.

RIPCA Immediate Past President Chief Sean Corrigan of the Narragansett Police Dept., followed with his own personal greetings.

In addition to installing Lynch as President, the following people were inducted as the 2023 executive board: Colonel Bradford Connor, of the Warwick Police Department, will serve as vice president; Chief Thomas F. Oates III, of the Woonsocket Police Department, will serve as sergeant-at-arms; Colonel Michael J. Winquist, of the Cranston Police Department, will serve as secretary; and Chief Matthew Moynihan, of the South Kingstown Police Department, will serve as treasurer.

In his inaugural address, Chief Lynch thanked all those in attendance for their continued support and made a special announcement noting that local residents Betty and Joseph Brito Jr. made a $10,000 donation to the R.I. Special Olympics in the name of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association. A thunderous round of applause followed.

“What more can we say about the Britos?” noted the Chief. “They were very generous in giving that amount of money to the R.I. Special Olympics. We can’t thank them enough.”

For the record, Chief Lynch began his career with the Department of Environmental Management – Enforcement Division, graduating from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy in 1988. He transferred to the Cranston Police Department and served for over twenty (20) years and steadily rose through the ranks reaching the rank of Commander (Lieutenant Colonel) to include serving as the Chief of Administration. In 2019, he retired from the Cranston Police Department to accept a position in State government at the Public Utilities Commission. He served as the Deputy Administrator (2nd in command) until being appointed by former Governor Gina Raimondo to interim Administrator.

Chief Kevin Lynch was appointed to lead the Bristol Police Department in September of 2019. He is responsible for the planning, organizing and daily operations of the entire agency. He holds a master’s degree from Roger Williams University and is a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island Epsilon II Class (2009) and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government – Executive Leadership Program. He is also an adjunct professor of law at Roger Williams University and Bristol Community College.

“This was such an overwhelming event,” the Chief concluded. “It meant so much to have this event at my Alma Mater here at Roger Williams University. This school has meant so much to me. And, I can’t thank everyone enough for the support they’ve shown me.”

The program closed with Benediction by Father Escobar.