Newport Police Chief Ryan Duffy has been sworn in as a member of the Executive Board of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association (RIPCA).
Chief Duffy, who has led the Newport Police Department for two years, expressed his gratitude for the nomination and selection to the executive board. “I was very honored to be nominated and selected to the executive board of the RI Police Chief’s Association,” Duffy said in a statement to What’sUpNewp.
The RIPCA plays a crucial role in shaping law enforcement practices across Rhode Island. Duffy highlighted the association’s importance in fostering collaboration among police departments statewide. “I have come to see the immense value of learning and sharing with my peers across the state with everything from procedures to strategies to philosophy of our ever evolving profession of policing,” he told What’sUpNewp.
The association’s impact extends beyond inter-departmental cooperation. Duffy pointed out RIPCA’s contributions to various aspects of law enforcement, including street-level policing, investigations, and support staff operations. “The RIPCA has been pivotal contributing to the success of officers in the street, investigators and support staff in each of RI’s communities,” he said.
Specific initiatives championed by RIPCA include a focus on preventative policing and officer wellness. Duffy noted partnerships with organizations like the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and Mothers Against Drunk Driving as examples of RIPCA’s preventative efforts. Additionally, the association supports wellness programs for officers, recognizing the importance of mental and physical health in law enforcement.
Duffy’s appointment to the executive board aligns with RIPCA’s mission to enhance trust between communities and police departments. The Newport Police Department shared on social media that the association aims “to promote harmony and trust between law enforcement and the public, to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement in the State, to strengthen public confidence in the police profession and to improve the quality of life in the communities served throughout the State.”
Looking ahead, Chief Duffy expressed enthusiasm for his new role. “I am excited about serving on the executive board to help foster RIPCA’s goals of building trust between communities and their police, being a resource to all RI law enforcement agencies, and enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement to provide even higher quality of life in Rhode Island,” he said.
The chief also reflected on the state of policing in Rhode Island compared to national trends. “If you look across the country and see the spectrum of policing, it’s clear that the citizens of RI have police departments staffed with professionals concerned with maintaining the best of contemporary policing,” Duffy said.
“I look forward to continuing to represent Newport at the RIPCA,” he said.
On January 14, 2025, the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association provided the following press release;
Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association Installs Executive Board for 2025
The Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association (RIPCA) installed its new Executive Board during a swearing-in ceremony on January 12 in Warwick.
The newly installed President, Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas F. Oates III, outlined his vision and priorities for the Association’s 75th year. His focus includes further strengthening traffic safety awareness efforts and launching the new wellness program. “We have many exciting initiatives on the horizon, and I am committed to dedicating myself, along with this association, to the hard work required to make them successful and beneficial,” said Chief Oates. “I am confident that, together, we can achieve meaningful outcomes that will positively impact our members, our communities, and the law enforcement profession as a whole.”
U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Congressman Gabe Amo, and Attorney General Peter Neronha addressed the gathering and Rhode Island State Supreme Court Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg swore in the new board.
The 2025 RIPCA Executive Board includes:
Chief Thomas F. Oates III, Woonsocket Police Department – President
Chief Oates has served as Chief of the Woonsocket Police Department since July 2016. Prior to this role, he served as Deputy Chief of the Providence Police Department. He spent over 36 years with the Providence Police, holding roles in every division. Before his tenure in Providence, he spent six years as a Police Officer in Smithfield. Last year, Chief Oates contributed to the RIPCA Executive Board as Vice President.
Chief Michael Correia, Barrington Police Department – Vice President
Chief Correia joined the Barrington Police Department as its Chief in June 2021. Previously he served for over 34 years with the Providence Police Department, where his assignments included Commander of the Detective Division, District Commander, and Narcotics Unit. His final position with Providence Police was as Major in Command of the Uniformed Division. In 2024, Chief Correia served on the RIPCA Executive Board as Sergeant-at-Arms.
Chief Ryan Duffy, Newport Police Department – Sergeant-at-Arms
Chief Ryan Duffy has served as the Chief of the Newport Police Department since June of 2023. He began his career with the department in December of 2000, and steadily rose through the ranks, earning promotions to Investigator in July 2011, Sergeant in December 2012, Lieutenant in April 2016, Captain in January 2021, and Acting Police Chief in February 2023.
Colonel Michael J. Winquist, Cranston Police Department – Secretary
Colonel Winquist will continue serving as Secretary of the association this year. He was sworn in as the Cranston Police Chief in October 2014. Prior to this role, he spent more than 24 years with the Rhode Island State Police, where he served in numerous roles, including assignments in the Uniform Division, Detectives, Narcotics Unit, Providence Police Gang Task Force, ATF Task Force, Fusion Center, Intelligence Unit, and Motorcycle Team. He retired from the Rhode Island State Police as Lieutenant Colonel/Deputy Superintendent. Colonel Winquist also serves as Chairman of the Rhode Island Police Officers Commission on Standards and Training.
Chief Matthew C. Moynihan, South Kingstown Police Department – Treasurer
This year, Chief Moynihan will continue serving as Treasurer of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, a role he has held since 2022. He was sworn in as Chief of the South Kingstown Police Department in July 2022, following his tenure as Chief in New Shoreham. Chief Moynihan dedicated 24 years to the Rhode Island State Police, retiring at the rank of Captain. During his time with RISP, he served in several positions, including District Commander overseeing the Uniform Bureau and several specialty units, interim Deputy Superintendent and Chief of Field Operations, Officer-in-Charge of the Major Crimes Unit, and Assistant Detective Commander.
Colonel Bradford Connor, Chief of the Warwick Police Department, was recognized for his incredible leadership as President and will continue to serve on the Executive Board as Immediate Past President. He began his service with the Warwick Police Department in 1996 as a Community Police Officer. He held various roles in the Patrol, Detective, and Professional Standards Divisions, eventually becoming Commander of the Operations and Administrative Bureaus. After retiring in 2019 as Deputy Chief of Police, he returned to the Warwick Police Department in January 2021.
