Providence police chief, public safety commissioner leaving - what we know

PROVIDENCE — The police chief and public safety commissioner who have led the city for more than a decade will be leaving their roles next year when incoming Mayor Brett Smiley takes over.

Police Chief Hugh Clements Jr. and Public Safety Commissioner Steven Paré, who have held their respective roles since 2011, are stepping down in the new year, Smiley's office said in a news release.

Clements was "interviewed and asked to stay on," the announcement said. "After careful consideration, the Chief has made the difficult decision to leave city service to pursue an exciting opportunity before him. Clements will continue to support the department with the transition and advise the Mayor-elect on the appointment of the next Chief of Police."

Smiley's office did not say when Clements' last day will be, but that an announcement on his "future endeavors will be made in the upcoming weeks."

Paré's last day will be Jan. 2 and the role of public safety commissioner will not be filled, at least in the short term.

"The Mayor-elect intends to focus on the transition in the Police Department and will not immediately fill the role of Commissioner," the news release said.

Clements joined the Providence Police Department in 1985 and rose through the ranks until being appointed acting chief in 2011 and permanent chief the following year.

Before becoming Providence's public safety commissioner in 2011, Paré spent 27 years with the Rhode Island State Police.

“Our city has come a long way under the leadership of Commissioner Paré and Chief Clements, who together have served the people of Providence for over 40 years,” Smiley said in the release.

Although we don't know who will lead the police department next year, Smiley is appointing Derek Silva to lead the Providence Fire Department as chief.

Silva, a 16-year veteran of the department, was previously assistant chief and before that president of the firefighters union.

Smiley also announced that Clara Decerbo will continue as director of the Providence Emergency Management Agency and Joseph Migliaccio will continue as director of telecommunications.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Police Chief Clements among those leaving as Brett Smiley takes office