The Warwick Police Department was established in 1921. Prior to that the villages of Warwick were policed by constables and sheriffs since 1648. The department currently has 172 sworn police officers supported by 53 civilian employees that provide municipal policing services to a residential population of 81,000.
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The Warwick Police Department welcomes you to complete a victim/witness survey if you have been the victim or witness to a crime
For Immediate Release September 17, 2014 Contact: Captain Christopher Stewart Office: 468-4231 Warwick Police Apprehend Suspect in Attempted Bank Robbery at Wave Credit Union, 1217 Warwick Avenue Justin Evans, DOB 12-14-88 of Warwick, RI entered The Wave Credit Union at about 10:15 AM and wrote a note demanding money. He presented the note to a teller. The teller responded “No,” and Evans fled on foot. A description of the Evans was given by bank employees. Additionally, the involved teller relayed that Evans stated that he is ”homeless.” Warwick Police were able to match this description to Evans. He was subsequently located by police at Wal-Mart on Post Road in Warwick at about 2:00 PM. Evans was taken to Warwick Police Headquarters where he confessed to attempting to rob the bank. He is being charged with attempted felony larceny and will be arraigned today at Kent County Courthouse. Christopher Stewart Detective Captain Warwick Police
Officer Dennis Amerantes received the ENRIQUE CAMARENA AWARD on September 11, 2014 for his work with the youth of Warwick in an effort to keep children drug-free. Officer Amerantes, a 27 year veteran of the Warwick Police Department, has been the School Resource Officer at Pilgrim High School for the past 10 years. Officer Amerantes stated he is proud to receive this award on behalf of the Warwick Police Department.
Enrique Camarena was an 11 year veteran agent of the DEA. Agent Camarena was kidnapped and murdered in Mexico in 1985. This award is presented by the BPO Elks Lodge to a person in law enforcement who best exemplifies the qualities and principles for which Agent Camarena gave his life. His death inspired millions of Americans to lead drug-free lives.
October is traditionally a Red Ribbon month, a time when people wear red ribbons to commemorate Agent Camarena's ultimate sacrifice. The millions of Americans who wear these ribbons visibly take a stand that they are opposed to illicit drug use and commemorate all of those who have tragically been affected by the results of drug use and abuse.
CONTACT: Lieutenant Michael Gilbert, OIC Traffic Services, 401-468-4344
The Warwick Police has successful DUI Task Force event
As a part of the Rhode Island “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign
Warwick, RI- The Warwick Police Department continues to take part in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign which runs from August 15th to September 1st. On August 22nd, Warwick Police combined efforts and worked jointly with a special DUI Task Force concentrating on Southern RI as well as Kent County. There were 22 local law enforcement departments and the RI State Police participating to deter, detect and arrest impaired drivers. More than 90 additional police officers and troopers supported the more than 125 officers/troopers assigned to patrol shifts in these communities.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s Office of Highway Safety (RIDOT OHS) provided funding for this important highway safety effort.
In May 2014, the RI DUI Task Force was deployed for the first time in ten Southern RI communities. During that campaign, eleven motorists suspected of driving while impaired by drugs and/or alcohol were arrested. This second deployment of the RI DUI Task Force deployed more than twice as many officers/troopers and will cover twice as many communities. On August 22, the Warwick Police made 82 motor vehicle stops, 6 DWI arrests, issued 31 speeding violations, arrested 3 motorists for operating with suspended licenses, arrested 2 motorists on warrants, and issued 12 other motor vehicle violations for various offenses.
During the DUI Task force event on August 22, 2014, twenty-three law enforcement agencies (Warwick, West Warwick, Coventry, East Providence, Barrington, Warren, Bristol, Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton, Little Compton, South Kingstown, North Kingstown, Richmond, Charlestown, Narragansett, Hopkinton, West Greenwich, East Greenwich, Jamestown, Westerly and the RI State Police) teamed up to form the Rhode Island DUI Task Force.
During this mobilization, officers were out in force to deter, detect and arrest impaired drivers. The goal was to keep everyone safe on our roadways and to prevent the senseless injuries and deaths because someone made the wrong choice.
WORK ANTICIPATED FOR NEXT WEEK: November 03 thru November 08, 2014
Post Road – West Shore Road to Veterans Memorial Drive:
Contractor will begin installation of new drainage system.
National Grid Gas Company will continue installation of gas service pipe, at various locations.
Contractor will continue working in a reclaiming area established at the Post Road Extension.
National Grid Electric will Install new utility poles along Post Road.
Two travel lanes will continue to be closed during construction activities and Two travel lanes will continue be opened to traffic during construction activities, from the hours of 6:00am to 4:30pm, Monday thru Saturday.
Veterans Memorial Drive – Post Road to Greenwich Avenue:
Contractor to continue installation of new Water Services, Work to take place at Night, 9:00pm – 6:00am.
Contractor will begin installation of new drainage system, daytime.
One travel lanes will be closed during daytime activities and Three travel lanes will be opened to traffic during construction activities, from the hours of 6:00am to 4:30pm, Monday thru Saturday.
Centerville Road – Diamond Hill Road to Tollgate Road:
National Grid Electric will continue relocation of overhead wires along Centerville Rd.
Light Tower Fiberoptics will be relocating overhead wires on Tollgate Road & Centerville Road, Daytime.
Fibertech Networks will begin relocation of overhead Wire, from Meadow Street to Diamond Hill Road, Daytime.
Veterans Memorial Drive Extension (Former Mill Site):
Site clearing activities to take place within Former Mill site. No impacts to traffic are involved with work within the Mill Site.
Post Road (Village) – Centerville Road to West Shore Road:
No activity is schedule to take place at this time.
Greenwich Avenue – Veterans Memorial Drive to Centerville Road:
National Grid Gas will continue installation of new Gas Main & Services, from Post Road to Luther Street, Night Time, 9:00pm – 6:00am.Two travel lanes will continue to be closed during construction activities and Two travel lanes will continue be opened to traffic during construction activities
All activities described above are Weather Dependent and are based on the best information available to RIDOT as of October 31, 2014.
WARWICK POLICE DEPARTMENT 99 Veterans Memorial Drive Warwick, Rhode Island 02886 August 3, 2014
PRESS RELEASE
Potential “Suicide by Cop” Successfully Defused
At approximately 1:21 AM this morning, Warwick officers responded to The Pleasure Marina, located at 11 Ottawa Avenue, at the request of a concerned relative that a 54 year old male, a former North Kingstown resident, was threatening suicide by firearm citing depression due medical and employment issues. The relative advised caution as it was indicated that the subject did own a firearm. It was further advised that he was now living on the boat due to his problems.
Sergeant James Valkoun, Detective Jeffery Viveiros, Officer Danial DiMaio and Officer Evan Brent responded to the Marina and found the location of the boat and could see a subject inside the cabin of the boat and this subject had what appeared to be a firearm in his hand. Upon observing this situation, the officers deployed tactically in the area of the boat. They then attempted to engage the subject in a dialogue with the intent of getting him to drop the weapon so they could get him some help. This subject became irritated with the police, stating he wanted to be left alone so he could end his life. Police continued a dialogue with him in an effort to get him to calm down, pleading with him to drop the weapon and that they could get him the help he needs.
At this point, the subject attempted movement towards the officers by coming to the cabin entrance still in a high state of agitation and the weapon in his hand. Sergeant Valkoun, realizing that this was an extremely dangerous situation, then deployed his department issued Taser with the intent to neutralize this deadly situation. The Taser deployment successfully struck the subject causing him to fall to the ground and lose control of the weapon. The officers then successfully bought him in to apprehension & the weapon was safely secured by the officers.
The subject was then taken to Kent County Hospital for medical treatment and then bought back to the Warwick Police Station where he was charged with Possession of a Firearm W/O a License and Disorderly Conduct. After his early morning arraignment by a Justice of the Peace, the subject was then taken back to Kent County Medical Facility for mental health follow up treatment.
This situation clearly could have had a very different and tragic result and it is another clear illustration of the challenges that police officers face in dealing with persons in difficulty suffering from mental health problems. All the officers mentioned here are to be commended for their bravery and their professionalism in successfully defusing a deadly situation without any serious injury.
The Warwick Police Department wishes the subjuect the very best for his future and sincerely hopes that he will get the help & mental health treatment that he very obviously needs.
Colonel Stephen M. McCartney
For any follow up information please contact Officer in Charge – Patrol Division 468-4364. Refer to WPD Arrest Report 14-2077-AR
