The success of our community policing initiative has demonstrated the importance of partnering with civic, non-profit and community groups throughout the city to bring about true change in our neighborhoods. Now the Providence Police, under the leadership of Chief Dean Esserman, has taken that model of collaboration to the next level.

Earlier this week I joined Chief Esserman and police leaders from all over the New England area for the establishment of an unprecedented interstate police agency collaborative. The initiative, led by Chief Esserman, will help police department share best practices and expertise.

This first formal meeting of its kind brings together the very best law enforcement minds in the New England – the major cities who bear the brunt of crime - and always have to be one step ahead of the criminal mind.

Among those present: Commissioner Kathleen M. O’Toole of Boston, Chief Francisco Ortiz, Jr. of New Haven, Superintendent Edward F. Davis of Lowell, and Chief Paula Meara of Springfield.

The goal of these law enforcement professionals is to find solutions to common issues, fine-tuning them for implementation in their own communities.

With crime down more than 10%, nine community policing substations and a force of more than 400 dedicated, professional officers, I am confident that Providence has much to share with its new partners in this effort. Likewise, other communities have been very successful at tackling quality of life issues that we face as the city continues to grow.

As Mayor of Providence, I understand the role that law enforcement plays in the development of a strong and thriving community. I commend Chief Esserman for understanding fundamentally what it takes – and what his officers need most - to do their job well. - DNC