East Greenwich police chief plans to retire

Published Feb. 24, 2010 at 7:51 p.m.

EAST GREENWICH, R.I. -- Police Chief David Desjarlais plans to retire in June after more than eight years at the helm of the local Police Department.

Desjarlais, 44, announced his intentions at Monday night's Town Council meeting. In an interview Wednesday, he said he feels that he has met the goals he set for himself when he took top rank.

Improving communications within the department and with the public was a top priority, Desjarlais said. He said he has been heartened by community surveys that show that residents rank the Police Department as one of the best services in town.

He also said that he was committed to seeing the department move from its overcrowded, outdated headquarters on Peirce Street. In the fall of 2008, the East Greenwich police moved into a new station on First Avenue.

"I always said that we had some of the best police officers in the state and now we have a (building) that matches that professional image," Desjarlais said this week.

Desjarlais has been an East Greenwich police officer for 23 years...Desjarlais said he has no specific plans for his life after retirement, but will explore many options. He said he announced his intention to retire in order to conform to a town requirement that he give the council 90 days notice.

Back | Read more at Projo News Blog