EAST PROVIDENCE — The management structure of the East Providence Police Department is now set following appointments made Thursday, Aug. 28, by Acting City Manager Paul Lemont.
Mr. Lemont, who earlier this month named Christopher Parella as permanent chief, promoted William Nebus to deputy chief/major, the No. 2 position in the department, Michael David to captain, Christopher Francesconi to lieutenant and Andy Benoit to sergeant.
“I chose Bill because he’s a very solid guy with a very strong understanding of finance and administration,” Mr. Lemont said of Major Nebus. “I think he’ll be a great asset to Chief Parella going forward keeping the budget on track. He’s a good solid financial guy. He still has a number of years left until he has to retire, so it also helps in terms of continuity.”
Major Nebus, 44 and a 22-year veteran of the EPPD, has a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration/Finance from the University of Rhode Island.
Said Chief Parella of the promotions, “We had four very deserving officers receive promotions. (Major) Nebus has been a very loyal and faithful servant of the department for some 22 years. He’s an outstanding police officer, very diversified. He was a ranking member of our Special Reaction Team, so he has a strong knowledge of tactics.
“He also has a degree in finance, which is going to be very helpful to me. Besides running a police department, we also have a $15 million budget. So it’s also like running a business, running a large business. His degree in finance will be extremely helpful to me during the budgetary process. He is a respected member of this department, who is well-versed in all aspects of the profession. He’s been a valuable member of the command staff, and I look forward to working closely with him.”
Mr. Lemont informed each of the four officers of their new rank Thursday, telling them they would play an integral role in returning the East Providence Police Department to a place of prominence among their peers.
“I said to each of them as they came through my office this morning that I wanted them to help restore the department to the way it was years ago, and every one of them was on board,” Mr. Lemont said. “They’re all going to work to return the department to being the premier department in the state, which is where it once was. It’s the way it was and it will be there again. This is a very talented group that is willing to work hard.”
In addition to the hires, Mr. Lemont said he is in preliminary talks with representatives of the police officers union on a new contract for the rank-and-file. He said both sides have already agreed on points of change each believes will benefit the department going forward.
“I think having this new team in place is key as was we attempt to improve the department in the future,” Mr. Lemont added.