RI State Police Exodus — Troopers Leaving for Other Agencies

RI State Police Exodus — Troopers Leaving for Other Agencies

For decades, the Rhode Island State Police were considered among the top law enforcement agencies in the United States.

Today’s Colonel, James Manni, left his career in the United States Secret Service to join the Rhode Island State Police earlier in his career.

Over the past three years, Troopers have not been coming but leaving to join other public safety agencies.

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Seven Troopers have left in the past three years.

According to previous GoLocal reports and multiple State Police sources, the following troopers have resigned:

- Trooper Brian Kilfoyle resigned to join the Massachusetts State Police

- Trooper Robert Twitchell resigned to join the Massachusetts State Police

- Trooper Nicholas Martin resigned to join the Massachusetts State Police

- Trooper Cedric Carvalho resigned to join the Massachusetts State Police

- Trooper Garrett Doyle resigned to join the FBI

- Trooper Scott Potter resigned to join the FBI

- Trooper Nicholas St. Sauvier recently resigned reportedly to apply to be a fireman

Manni tells GoLocal, "Recruitment and retention of high-quality men and women is a high priority for the RISP.  The recent trend seen with recruitment and retention is not only a RISP issue, nor is this only an issue in Rhode Island.  Law enforcement agencies both nationally and locally are facing the same challenges as the RISP.”

Over the past four years, the Rhode Island State Police has had three different leaders — Steven O’Donnell was retired, Ann Assumpico served just two years and Manni is serving in his first year. In contrast, between 1962 to 2010, 48 years, the State Police had just four Superintendents - Walter Stone, Edward Culhane, Steven Pare, and Brendan Doherty.

Regarding the loss of Rhode Island troopers to other agencies, Manni said, "In response to this recent trend, the RISP has initiated a mentorship program for the 2018 recruitment class.  This mentorship program began prior to recruits entering the academy and continued throughout the academy.  This program has been a major success and is credited for a high graduation rate for our last class." 

 

Downward Trend

Manni says that law enforcement applications are down across the country,

By way of example, Manni said, "In 1990, approximately 3500 applicants applied to become a member of the RISP.  In our recent class, the RISP received less than 2000 applications.  I have been told that the Mass. State Police regularly received approximately 20,000 applications and is now receiving less than 10,000."

A Washington Post story reported “Nationwide, interest in becoming a police officer is down significantly. In Nashville, job applications dropped from 4,700 in 2010 to 1,900 last year. In Seattle, applications have declined by nearly 50 percent in a department where the starting salary is $79,000. Even the FBI had a sharp drop, from 21,000 applications per year to 13,000 last year, before a new marketing campaign brought an upswing [in applicants].”

"This trend likely reflects the sacrifices members in the law enforcement profession are required to make such as long hours, working on holidays and the real risk of serious harm or even death. This is especially true in a good economy when there are more job opportunities that do not require the same level of sacrifice," said Manni.

"The recruitment and retention of qualified individuals is frequently discussed among Chiefs and Colonels in Rhode Island and across New England," added Manni.

"I acknowledge this issue is a real concern for the RISP, but the RISP will continue to recruit high-quality candidates and continue to consider and implement innovative ways to retain our members," he added.