WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) - Members of the Westerly Police Department are criticizing the decision to hire West Warwick’s chief of police to lead the Westerly police force.
The Westerly Sun reports (https://bit.ly/2eRdJZg ) the hiring of Richard Silva was announced Monday following the conclusion of a three-month search and review process.
Westerly’s last police chief, Edward St. Clair, retired in July.
By accepting the position, Silva becomes Westerly’s first chief to not come up through the department in nearly 20 years. Silva has been West Warwick’s chief for eight years.
Westerly officers have continued to show their support for Captain Shawn Lacey for the position. Lacey, a local officer, was the other finalist out of 114 initial applications.
Silva is expected to start during the week of Nov. 21.
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Information from: The Westerly Sun, https://www.thewesterlysun.com
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