Police Chief Patrick Jones, who has been serving as Tiverton’s acting town administrator for the last three months, will be offered the permanent job, according to Town Council President John G. Edwards, V.
Jones, who had applied and withdrew his candidacy, had reapplied. “He waited to the end and threw his name back in,” Edwards said.
Edwards said the council, at a special meeting tonight(Tuesday), authorized him to negotiate a contract with Jones. He said he was hopeful they would quickly reach an agreement, allowing the council to ratify the contract at its next meeting onMonday (March 24).
Jones has been serving as interim town manager since December, following the resignation of Christopher Cotta, who served as town manager for four years. Cotta earned $111,000 per year as town administrator. Besides his police chief’s salary, Jones receives $1,000 a week as interim town administrator.
There were seven applicants for the position, and two were recommended to the council by the personal board. Edwards said the other finalist “backed out.”
Over the last three months, Edwards said Jones had impressed councilors in the interim position, while also serving as chief of police. A member of the Tiverton Police Department for nearly 36 years, Jones spent the last seven as chief.
One of his first challenges will be hiring his replacement as chief of police. Meanwhile, Edwards said it is likely Deputy Chief Jimmy Costa would become acting chief.
The council is currently working on filling another important role, the planner and administrative officer for the planning board. Edwards said he expects that position to be filled soon.
Jones will join a growing list of former police chiefs and police officers who have been hired as town managers. Former Rhode Island State Police Colonel James Manni is town manager in South Kingstown; Narragansett town manager James Tierney is a former assistant patrol commander in the South Kingstown Police Department; former Westerly Police Chief Shawn Lacey is that town’s manager; and Jeffrey S. Allen, a former Charlestown Police Chief, is that town’s manager.
Jones holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Roger Williams University in criminal justice, an MPA from Anna Maria College in public administration, has a certificate from the University of Virginia, and has attended a leadership program at Harvard’s Kennedy School.
