Smithfield, RI
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A History of the Smithfield Police Department
By Deputy Chief James H. McVey (Ret.) & updated by Chief William A. McGarry (Ret.)
In 2010, the Smithfield Police Department celebrated 60 years as a permanent law enforcement agency.
There's a nice online collection of historic SPD photos provided by the Smith-Appleby House Museum.
In 1937 the Town of Smithfield passed a Town Ordinance to appoint a police chief and deputy police chief as constables. In 1950, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed an Act establishing a permanent police department, creating the positions of Police Chief, Deputy Police Chief, and Sergeant in the Town of Smithfield.
In those days, there was little to attract anyone to a career in law enforcement. Smithfield police officers worked many hours per week, and pay was extremely low. There were no pension plans, paid holidays, uniform allowances, etc. There was plenty of extra work, but it was performed without compensation. Many times, an officer would work all night, spend the day in court, and report back to work that night for his regular shift collecting only his regular pay. There were no established policies and procedures, and little or no training. A police academy was created and basic in-service training seminars and courses began; however, it was considered an honor and a privilege for an officer to be permitted to attend such schools. When officers did attend, they had to provide their own transportation. All seminars and classes were attended after normal regular working hours.
Left to Right — Front Row: Ralph Farrar, Benjamin Crossman, Chief Arthur Gould, Dep. Chief Adolph Schenck, Olympio Cerroni, Lester Tobin. 2nd Row: George LaCroix, Jessie Camara, Saverio Serapiglia, John Corte, Alfred Bruno. 3rd Row: William Giroux, Harold Blackwell, Clifford Provonsil, Herbert Paquette. 4th Row: James McVey, Prescott J. Williams, Frank Jardin
The Department operated out of three small rooms in the Town Hall: the Police Chief's Office, a room for regular police business, and an interview room. Communications consisted of one telephone line, with an extension in the Chief's home. When the sole officer on duty left the station on a call or patrol, the officer locked the station doors and put a note on the outside window advising anyone needing the police to call by telephone. In this manner, if the phone rang several times with no answer, someone in the Chief's home would pick up the extension. If the officer on the road was needed for any reason, a message would be relayed to the State Police barracks in North Scituate, Rhode Island.
On a freezing cold day in December of 1968, Smithfield Patrolman Norman G. Vezina gave his life in the line of duty while attempting to rescue five year-old Kenneth Firby who had fallen through the ice and into the frigid water of the Spragueville Reservoir. Kenneth Firby also died that day. Click here to read more about in Memoriam of Sgt. Norman G. Vezina.
Over the years, police activity began to steadily climb. As Department personnel increased in the 1960's, it became necessary to establish full-time police services. It became very difficult to operate out of the three, small cramped rooms at the Town Hall. They slowly filled up with files, desks, alarms, typewriters, and a newly installed teletype machine, leaving little, if any, space for the police operations. In December of 1970, facing an obvious need, the Smithfield Town Council announced that a new police station was a priority item and approval would be sought at the annual Financial Town Meeting in May of 1971. Taxpayers approved the construction of a new facility and formed a building committee, whose first task was to select a site. The Town of Smithfield was extremely fortunate when a prominent family in town donated a large tract of land on Pleasant View Avenue. The land was undeveloped; however, members of the police department took it upon themselves to prepare the site. Many persons dropped off refreshments to the workers as they prepared the site, and countless spectators added their moral support. More often than not, families of the workers would be there, and it was not uncommon to see young sons and daughters of the officers happily riding in trucks as they bounced from one end of the site to the other. After several weeks of hard work, this phase was completed, and the site was ready for construction.
In 1972, it was announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded the Town a grant to help finance construction of the new station. The project went out to bid, the contract was awarded, and groundbreaking ceremonies were held in May of 1972. The building was completed in record-breaking time. On November 18th, 1972, the police moved into the new facility and began operations.
- Read the flyer from the Smithfield Police Station Dedication Day.
- Read the flyer from the 1977 Smithfield Policeman's Ball.
The permanent Smithfield Police Department steadily progressed since its inception in 1950. It has one of the most attractive, functional police stations in the state. From its meager beginning, with three full-time officers to its present complement of 40 full-time police officers and 13 full-time civilian employees, the Department now operates with administrative, uniformed and detective divisions in its organizational format.
The Smithfield Police Department is one of Rhode Island's most respected law enforcement agencies. The Department is headquartered in a two-level facility situated on four acres overlooking the Stillwater Reservoir and includes a secure three-cell holding facility.
The Department utilizes modern public safety technology to support patrol, investigations, communications, and administrative operations. Officers have access to mobile data terminals (MDTs) in every patrol vehicle, providing secure access to state and national criminal justice information systems, computer-aided dispatch, records management, and other critical law enforcement resources from the field. The Department also operates on Rhode Island's statewide Records Management System (RMS), improving information sharing, reporting efficiency, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies across the state.
Through continued investment in technology and infrastructure, the Department has enhanced its emergency communications capabilities, surveillance systems, public safety radio network, cybersecurity, and digital evidence management while maintaining secure connectivity to state and federal criminal justice information systems.
The Department remains committed to professional development through comprehensive in-service training, advanced specialty training, and continuing education for sworn personnel. This ongoing investment ensures officers remain prepared to meet the evolving needs of the community and the changing landscape of modern policing.
The Smithfield Police Department is proud to maintain accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), reflecting its continued commitment to nationally recognized standards of professionalism, accountability, and excellence in law enforcement. The Department regularly reviews and updates its policies and procedures to ensure compliance with best practices, evolving legal standards, and the needs of the community.
Over the years, the Department has completed numerous capital improvement projects to modernize its facilities, communications center, detention areas, and operational workspaces. Investments in emergency power systems, building infrastructure, fleet technology, and public safety equipment ensure the Department remains prepared to provide reliable service under all conditions.
Community policing continues to be a cornerstone of the Department's mission. Officers work closely with residents, schools, businesses, and community organizations through school resource officers, neighborhood outreach initiatives, crime prevention programs, and collaborative partnerships. These efforts strengthen relationships, improve public safety, and foster trust between the Department and the citizens it serves.
Today, the Smithfield Police Department combines professional policing, modern technology, and strong community partnerships to provide responsive, effective, and transparent public safety services for the Town of Smithfield.
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