Smiley Has Dinner with One of the Finalists for Providence Police Chief
Tuesday, February 07, 2023
Last Thursday night Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and Providence Police Major Kevin Lanni had dinner.
The dinner came just days before Smiley’s public forum — an event billed for public input into the selection process for the next Providence Police Chief.
The mayor’s office defended the one-on-one event claiming, ”Colonel Clements and the Mayor conducted interviews with all the local applicants, and the Mayor did personal follow-up as needed.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOn Tuesday, Smiley announced the three finalists being considered to become the 38th Chief of the Providence Police Department: Lanni, David A. Lapatin, Oscar L. Perez.
Smiley and the three candidates will appear at a public forum on Wednesday, February 8 at 5:30 PM at the Providence Career and Technical Academy located at 41 Fricker Street.
“I am excited to introduce the community to three exceptional candidates who I believe exemplify [what] we want in their next Chief of Police - a dedicated public servant that will work with the community to increase our overall public safety,” said Smiley. “I want to encourage Providence residents and community members to meet these candidates at our public forum Wednesday night.”
But, the special dinner with one candidate raises questions if Lanni is already the unannounced chief prior to the public process.
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