Col. Bradford Connor spoke to a friendly audience Aug. 10 for a promotional ceremony at Warwick City Hall that saw the pinning of six officers and five probationary officers.

That’s not surprising, but Connor also addressed the larger community.

“We all know the past two years have been particularly challenging for police officers.   They are constantly being scrutinized and judged, and at times convicted in the realm of public opinion. Often times this happens without even the fairness of due process,” he said.

“Fortunately,” he continued, “police officers in the City of Warwick continue to receive the support of those that we serve as well as our elected officials.  This is due to the great work that is done each day, by all of our members, both sworn and civilian. I speak on behalf of the entire command staff and our elected officials when I say that you will continue to have our unwavering support.”

Words of praise and support for the work of Warwick Police also came from Mayor Frank Picozzi and Warwick Police Chaplain Father Robert Marciano.

In his invocation Fr. Marciano said, “In these troublesome times that now challenge this noble profession and those who wear the badge, we proudly stand with them and are so very thankful for the many sacrifices that they make and for the dedication they embody.”

The half-hour ceremony opened with the posting of the colors by the Police Honor Guard followed by the playing of the National Anthem by trumpeter, Officer Oliver M. Pinheiro. Council Chambers were filled with family members and friends of those being promoted and sworn in as probationary officers of the department. The evening came to a close with an informal reception with people leaving their seats to congratulate the men honored as well as mingle with members of the board of public safety and department staff.

Commander Mark Ullucci introduced each of the men promoted or named to the department and called on members of their families or friends they had chosen to pin on their badges. He gave the following biographies of the men:

Biographies

Major Andrew P. Sullivan is a 24-year veteran of the Warwick Police Department. Andrew served in the Patrol Division for his first nine (9) years and was a field training officer.

The Major was promoted to the rank of Detective in July, 2006 where served as a “night” detective for two and one-half (2.5) years. In October, 2008 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and returned to the Patrol Division for three (3) years where he was a field training supervisor. Major Sullivan was assigned back to the Detective Division in May, 2011 and remained there for seven (7) years until he was promoted to Lieutenant in June, 2018. As a lieutenant, Andrew served in the Patrol Division, Professional Standards Division and the Detective Division.

The Major was then promoted to the rank of Captain in January, 2021. As a Captain he served in both the Patrol Division and the Professional Standards Division. In May, 2021 Andrew was designated as the “acting Operations Bureau Commander,” the appointment made official with tonight’s ceremony.

Major Sullivan served for many years as a member of the department’s Peer Support Team and also as its team leader.

Andrew previously served in the United States Marine Corps and holds a bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies from Rhode Island College.

Captain Charles Boisseau is a 26 year veteran of the Warwick Police Department, with 4 years previous experience as a Correctional Officer at the Maximum Security facility of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.

Captain Boisseau has held positions on all three shifts of the

Patrol Division. He was also a Traffic Officer. Most recently, he was the Assistant Officer-in-Charge of the 1st Platoon. He held the rank Sergeant for over 12 years, and the rank of Lieutenant for the last 1 ½ years.

Captain Boisseau also served as a Combat Medic in the United

States Army and its Reserves, deploying to Kosovo, Iraq, and

Afghanistan, earning the Combat Medical Badge, and Bronze

Star Medal, for his actions while in battle. He also participated in Civil Affairs and medical support missions to Africa, Haiti, and Honduras.

The Captain has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal

Justice from Roger Williams University and has attended a number of schools and training, to include, Traffic Accident

Reconstruction Levels I, II, III; EVOC Instructor Course; and FirstLine Supervisor training.

Captain Boisseau will be assigned to the Patrol Division as the

3rd Shift OIC.

Lieutenant Timothy A. Kenyon is an 11 year veteran of the Warwick Police Department. He has spent almost 9 years of his career in the Patrol Division, working both second and third shift. For the past 2 years, he was assigned to the Professional Services Division.

Lt. Kenyon spent over 8 years as an Advisor for the WPD Explorer program. He has been a WPD Firearms Instructor/Range Officer for 8 years and was a Field Training Officer for over 4 years. He is also a Firearms Instructor for the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy.

Lt. Kenyon has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Roger Williams University and was a certified Elementary school teacher for four years before joining the WPD.

Lt. Kenyon looks forward to his new role as Lieutenant of the 3rd Platoon, Uniformed Patrol Division.

Sergeant Gavin McVeigh is a 6-year veteran of the Warwick Police Department.

Prior to coming to Warwick he attended Salve Regina University where he graduated in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. After college he and his wife moved to California where he worked for the Salinas Police Department for 8 years, leaving as a Detective in the Gang unit. During his time with Warwick, Sgt. McVeigh has worked patrol on both the 2nd and 3rd Platoon. He served as a Field Training Officer with the police department and is, P.O.S.T. certified building search instructor at the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy.

Sgt. McVeigh was most recently assigned to the Community Services Division where he was the executive director of the Explorer Program, the elder affairs liaison, and a member of the United States Marshal and RI State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force.

Prior to being a police officer in Warwick, Sergeant Ryan Lancaster  served 2 years in Chesterfield County. Sgt. Lancaster has served the Warwick Police Department for 6 years. His first 5 years with Warwick were spent in the Patrol Division on both the 2nd and 3rd platoons. Sgt. Lancaster has spent the last year in the Traffic Unit of the Community Services Division. During his time in the Traffic Unit, Sgt. Lancaster completed his crash reconstruction certifications and participated in several fatal crash investigations.

Sgt. Lancaster is a current active member of the Warwick Police SWAT and Sniper team and he is a Range Officer as well as a Patrol Rifle Instructor. He has also served as a Field Training Officer. Sgt. Lancaster has a Bachelors Degree in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of New Haven where he also attained a Minor in Mathematics and a Certificate in Arson Investigation.

With this promotion to Sergeant, Ryan will now be assigned to the 3rd platoon of the Patrol Division.

Sergeant Brian W. Fontaine is a 5 ½ year veteran of the Warwick Police Department. He has spent all of his career in the Patrol Division, serving both the second and third platoon.

Sgt. Fontaine has been an Advisor for the Warwick Police Explorers for 4 ½ years. He has served on the Mental Health Crisis Response Team for 3 years. Sgt. Fontaine has also been a Firearms Range Officer for the Warwick Police Department for 2 years, and a Field Training Officer for 2 ½ years.

Sgt. Fontaine is a 14-year veteran of the Rhode Island Army National Guard, where he serves as a Military Police Officer. Sgt. Fontaine has served overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009 and 2012. In the Army, Sgt. Fontaine holds the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Fontaine looks forward to his new role with the 3rd Platoon, Uniform Patrol Division.

Officer David Babcock attended Rhode Island College and earned a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. He is currently working on his Master in Public Administration with the University of New Haven. Officer Babcock grew up right here in Warwick, he and his wife currently reside in West Warwick.

Officer Nicholas DeLuca from the North Providence Police Department. Officer DeLuca attended the University of Rhode Island where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Engineering as well as a Bachelors degree in German.

Officer DeLuca is a licensed EMT and resides in Cranston.

Officer Jake Reddy attended UMass Lowell, earning both a bachelors degree and Master’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Officer Reddy currently resides in East. Greenwich.

Officer Erick Herrera, who was pinned by his mentor and friend, George W. Bolden Sr., a retired Navy Veteran who for years has played a huge role in inner-city youth programs focusing on Math Engineering and Science Studies, is the recipient of scholarship founded by Herrera for under-represented students with Roger Williams University. Officer Herrera graduated from Roger Williams University in 2020 and lives in Cranston.

Officer Connor Bemis attended Keene State College, receiving a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Prior to the Warwick Police Department, Officer Bemis served with the Warren Police Department for 3 ½ years. He lives in Lincoln.