2023 -- H 5530
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LC001797
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
CONGRATULATING COLONEL OSCAR PEREZ ON BEING NAMED POLICE CHIEF OF
THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE
Introduced By: Representatives Hull, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Baginski, J. Lombardi,
Chippendale, Sanchez, Fellela, Cruz, and Giraldo
Date Introduced: February 14, 2023
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, Newly appointed Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez was born in 1
Colombia and immigrated to the United States at the age of thirteen, calling it the “opportunity of 2
a lifetime”; and 3
WHEREAS, Chief Perez graduated from Central High School, and attained a Bachelor’s 4
degree in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University, and a Master’s degree in Criminal 5
Justice from Boston University; and 6
WHEREAS, In 1994, Chief Perez began his distinguished law enforcement career, 7
serving as a Patrol Officer for the Providence Police Department. Over the course of his career, 8
he continuously impressed his colleagues and peers with his tireless work ethic, leadership skills, 9
and investigatory acumen; and 10
WHEREAS, Chief Perez’s assignments as a police officer have ranged from working in 11
the Youth Services Bureau as a Detective, to overseeing patrols in the South Providence, 12
Washington Park, Elmwood and Reservoir Triangle neighborhoods. He also worked in the 13
Department’s Bureau of Intelligence, Community Policing, Narcotics and Organized Crime, the 14
Gang Intervention Unit, and the Neighborhood Response Team divisions; and 15
WHEREAS, Chief Perez oversaw a professional standards-unit within the Department 16
that is directly responsible for investigating alleged lawbreaking by police officers. He stated on 17
the record that “holding officers accountable is essential”, and we need “to ensure that we are 18
policing in a constitutional manner”; and 19
LC001797 - Page 2 of 2
WHEREAS, Chief Perez, who is the City of Providence’s first Latino Police Chief, 1
promised in his first speech as the new Chief, “to get to work on the big issues”, which he 2
identified as crime prevention, gun violence, youth support and quality-of-life issues for 3
Providence residents and visitors. He went on to state, “Serving as Chief of Police for the City 4
that welcomed me so many years ago and that has become my home is the honor of lifetime”; 5
now, therefore be it 6
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 7
expresses its congratulations to Colonel Oscar Perez on being named the new Police Chief of the 8
City of Providence. We thank him for all he has done for the City of Providence throughout his 9
distinguished law enforcement career and wish him continued success as the new Police Chief of 10
Providence, and be it further 11
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 12
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Colonel Oscar Perez, Providence Police 13
Department Chief. 14
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LC001797
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