Public Safety Director Search Committee to Interview Candidates

PAWTUCKET – The Public Safety Director Search Committee will begin interviews with
candidates this week. The Public Safety Director will provide strategic leadership
for the Department of Public Safety, which includes police, fire and the City’s
Emergency Management Agency (EMA), and work to implement best practices, identify
improvements, and provide high quality services to Pawtucket’s residents.

The Grebien Administration is focused on ensuring that Pawtucket is an ideal place
to live, work, play, start a business and raise a family. Public safety is critical
to creating the best quality of life for residents. The Public Safety Director will
capitalize on the City’s $50 million annual investment in public safety by focusing
on long-term priorities and implementing best practices, including, building
community relationships, updating systems, and addressing aging facility needs. The
full-time director will also address the increasing day-to-day challenges and
growing needs placed upon fire, police, and EMA, as well as leadership transitions
at the police department.

In March, the Search Committee held a public meeting to gather input on the
attributes, experiences, priorities, and goals of the next public safety director.
The Committee received fifty-three applications, nine of which withdrew or did not
meet the minimum requirements. Based upon set criteria, five candidates were
selected to move forward to the interview stage. After interviewing candidates, the
committee will recommend finalists to the Mayor.

Director of Public Safety Search Committee

* Steven O’Donnell (Chair), Retired Colonel of the RI State Police and Chief
Executive Officer of the Greater Providence YMCA

* Ken Bell, cyber-security expert and retired RI State Police Officer

* Antonio Brito, Pawtucket Resident

* Sandra Cano, City Councilor

* Gary Convertino, resident and Pawtucket Personnel Board Chair

* PJ Fox, Executive Director, The Institute for the Study and Practice of
Nonviolence

* Peter Gaynor, Director, RI Emergency Management Agency

* Antonio J. Pires, Director of Public Safety/ Director of Administration

* Arthur Plitt, resident and President of the Neighborhood Alliance of
Pawtucket

* Patricia St. Germain, resident and President of the Fairlawn Against Crime
Team (FACT)

* Timothy Sanzi, Captain and Executive Officer, RI Department of Public Safety

* Larry Smith, Pastor, Woodlawn Baptist Church

* Dijini Tavares, Cape Verdean American Community Development (CACD)