Hugh T. Clements, Jr. Named Chief of Providence Police Department

Clements selected following national search for proven law enforcement professional committed to community policing.

Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Paré and Mayor Angel Taveras today announced the selection of Hugh T. Clements, Jr. as the Providence Police Department's Chief of Police.

Clements is a 26-year veteran of the Providence Police Department, who has served as Acting Chief of Police since June, 2011. As Police Chief, Clements will oversee the second largest police department in New England, with 430 sworn officers and about 100 civilian personnel.

He was selected following a national search to hire a proven law enforcement professional who is committed to Providence's community policing philosophy to lead the Police Department.

"Hugh Clements is a proven and effective law enforcement leader who has the full respect of our community, as well as the men and women of the Providence Police. He is ready to lead the Department and move it forward, and I commend him for his willingness to serve," said Commissioner Paré.

"I congratulate Hugh Clements, and I look forward to swearing him in as Providence's Chief of Police in the days to come. Ensuring the safety and security of the residents of Providence is one of my highest priorities as Mayor, and I have full confidence that with Chief Clements the Providence Police Department has the leadership it needs to provide the highest standard of public safety and accountability to the citizens of Providence," said Mayor Taveras.

Chief Clements joined the Police Department in 1985, rising from the rank of Patrolman and spending about half his career in the Patrol Bureau and the other half in the Investigative Division. The majority his years in the Detective Bureau were spent investigating major crimes, as Clements moved up in the ranks as a Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. He also served in the Investigative Division's Narcotics Unit.

As the Major in charge of the Uniform Division - a position he held from 2009 until he was named Deputy Chief last April - Clements oversaw the largest division in the Department, supervising nine District Commanders and working closely with the Providence City Council and partners in the community to support and expand the Department's community policing strategy.

Chief Clements has completed the prestigious Senior Management Institute for Police, and established a partnership with the Law Enforcement Highway Safety Coordinator that has resulted in several new initiatives to improve roadway safety.

He has received awards and honors from the White House Champion of Change-Office of National Drug Control; the MetLife Foundation Community Police Partnership; and Governor Lincoln Almond's Select Commission on Race and Police Community Relations. Chief Clements is also a three-time recipient of the prestigious Providence Police Chief's Award.

Commissioner Pare selected Clements as Police Chief following a national search that drew 19 applicants from Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Texas, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Jersey, Georgia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. An Advisory Committee of state law enforcement and community stakeholders assisted in the search process.

"It is truly an honor to be chosen as Chief, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the great men and women of the Providence Police Department in this new role. I look forward to working with Mayor Taveras, Commissioner Paré and the residents of Providence, and I will do all I can every day to uphold the laws of the City of Providence and make our community safer and stronger," Chief Clements said.

Chief Clements has a Master of Science degree in criminal justice from Boston University 2005; a Bachelor of Science degree in administration of justice from Roger Williams University 1988; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Rhode Island 1981.

He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Providence Fraternal Order of Police, a national trustee of the Grand Lodge FOP-Rhode Island Future Planning Task Force Committee, and is the co-founder and vice president of the Steven M. Shaw Endowment Fund.

He is married with two daughters, ages 20 and 13.

"Hugh Clements is an excellent selection to lead the Providence Police Department. He understands the needs and concerns of every neighborhood in our city, and has worked to implement and expand a successful community policing model that has earned Providence national recognition. I congratulate Chief Clements and wish him well," said City Council President Michael Solomon.

"Hugh is a product of the Providence Police Department. He has held every position that was available within the department, and he understands the job and can relate to the men and women of the of the Providence Police," said Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 3 President Taft Manzotti.

The Police Chief Search Advisory Committee was chaired by Commissioner Paré, and included Rhode Island US Attorney Peter Neronha; AT Wall, Director of Corrections for Rhode Island; Fraternal Order of Police representative Taft Manzotti; Chief Edward Mello, President of Rhode Island Chiefs of Police; James Vincent, Rhode Island NAACP; Margaret Holland McDuff, CEO of Family Service of Rhode Island; Gaby Abbate, Executive Director, Rhode Island MADD; Teny Gross, Executive Director, Institute for the Study & Practice of Nonviolence; Sister Anne Keefe, St. Michael's Parish; Barbara Fields, HUD's New England Regional Administrator; Cedric Huntley, Facilities Athletic Director at the MET School; Iman Farid Ansari, Muslim American Dawah Center; Major John Leyden, Executive Director, Office of Safety and Security, Providence College; Phanida Phivilay, Socio-Economic Development Center for Southeast Asians; Samnang K.B., President of Board Members, Cambodian Society; Jack O'Rourke, Sodexo Food Service; Russell Carey, Brown University' Roberto Gonzalez, Attorney; Sybil Bailey, Providence Director of Human Resources; and Michael O'Toole, Office of Public Safety Commissioner Steven Paré.