Are the Providence Police Trying To Address Their Transparency Problem?

Are the Providence Police Trying To Address Their Transparency Problem?

The Providence Police Department announced on Wednesday the deployment of a new online reporting system, that will allow residents to report lost property, harassing phone calls, theft of mail or packages, fraudulent credit card use, identity theft, and vandalism. 

See the New System HERE

A GoLocal investigation in May found that the Providence Police Department may be one of the least transparent of any police department of its size in the Northeast. It lags far behind its peer departments and has created endless barriers for members of the public to gain access to the most basic information.

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In today's modern era of community policing, proactive communication is a key component to identifying crime spots, engaging the public’s involvement, and improving the relationship between the police and diverse communities, but not in Providence, where crime reports and police work are conducted in secret providing little public information. The Department’s leadership often refuse to answer press inquiries. 

A New Era

“As a department, we believe in working with the people we serve to build a community of the highest quality for present and future generations. We think that investing in technology, which gives our community members and citizens a better experience, is an important way to demonstrate our commitment,” said Colonel Hugh Clements, of the new "LexisNexis® Desk Officer Reporting System."

According to the Providence Police, incidents that can be reported must not be an emergency, not involve known suspects, and must have occurred in Providence and be of a non-violent manner.

The city claims that by making the move to the online reporting in can provide additional benefits, including: "reducing officer response time "by approximately 10 to 30 percent; generating more accurate reports, and providing online access to citizens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."

"Through a focus on innovation, Providence has become a city that works for all its residents," said Mayor Jorge Elorza. "We are providing fast, efficient systems to residents in every neighborhood and this citizen reporting system continues that track. By investing in this type of technology we make sure our department has the tools they need to protect and serve our communities.”