Frequently Asked Questions

How can I become a police officer?

Minimum Requirements:

• must be a Rhode Island resident at the time of appointment as a Police Officer Trainee
• must be at least 21 years of age on the date of the examination announcement
• must be a high school graduate or possess a General Education Diploma (GED) or equivalent
• applicants claiming Newport Auxiliary membership or Veterans preference must present proof of entrance and separation dates.
• must possess a valid driver's license (a valid Rhode Island license must be presented at the time of appointment as a Police Officer Trainee)
• must present a copy of birth certificate, high school diploma or GED certificate, DD-214, state driver's license, and Newport Police Auxiliary membership (if applicable) with application.

Examination Process (not necessarily in this order):

• General Aptitude Test
• Agility Test
• Physical Examination
• Psychological Examination
• Oral Board Interview (2)
• Department Background Investigation
• Swim Examination

All applicants must pass each examination to qualify for subsequent testing. An applicant who successfully passes all of the examinations will be placed on an eligibility register [change "register" to "roster"] in accordance with his score.

Training:

As vacancies occur, a successful ranking applicant will be appointed as a Police Officer Trainee and assigned to attend the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy for a 14-week training course.

Applicants who fail to successfully complete this training course will be removed from the eligibility roster.

After successful completion of the training course, the applicant will be appointed as a Probationary Police Officer and receive further inservice training.

After successful completion of one year as a Probationary Police Officer, the applicant will be appointed as a permanent member of the Newport Police Department.

Salary:

Police Officer Trainee (while attending Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy) - $650 per week

Police Officer - Pay Range $39,993.00 to $53,407

Applicants must complete a city employment application form which can be obtained from the Human Resources office. The application and required certificates must be submitted to the Human Resources Administrator, City Hall, 43 Broadway, Newport, R.I. 02840.

How can I get my fingerprints taken?

Civilian fingerprints

Effective June 1st, 2011 the fee for fingerprints will be as follows:

• $40.00 for School department employees and any other person that has to have prints submitted to BCI
• $10.00 for anyone requesting an applicant fingerprint card for any reason
• $10.00 for Hackney permits and housing authority applicants

Fingerprinting services by the Newport Police Department will only be done for City of Newport Residents.

The time for finger prints will be on Wednesdays from 0900-1200.

How can I get a VIN check for my new vehicle?

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspections are necessary prior to registering a car if the car is bought out of state or has previously been registered out of state.

VIN Inspections are done from 8 A.M until 3 P.M., Wednesdays, for a fee of $10.00. When coming by for a VIN inspection, bring your registration and proof of ownership (i.e. title if car is less than ten years old).

The VIN inspector’s desk is located in the front lobby of the police station.

When is the records office open?

The Records Office is open 8:00 A.M. to 7 P.M., seven days a week.

Although requests may be accepted at any time, certain requests can only be processed during normal business hours of 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

How can I get a copy of a police report?

To obtain a copy of a police report you must contact the Newport Police Department Records Office twenty-four (24) hours prior to picking up the report.

The charge for a motor vehicle accident report is $3.00. The charge for other types of incident reports is $2.00. These fees are subject to change without notice.

To have a copy of a report mailed to you, send a written request with a check for the appropriate amount and a stamped, self-addressed business-sized envelope to Newport Police Department, Records Office, 120 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840. Reports can not be faxed.

When must I complete a state accident form?

The operator of any motor vehicle involved in an accident in this state resulting in injuries and/or property damage in excess of $1,000 is required to report this accident in writing, within 21 days, to the Divison of Motor Vehicles, Office of Safety Responsibility, 100 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860.

If the operator is physically incapable of making out the report, it should be made by the owner within 21 days of having learned of the accident.

How do I obtain a local records check of my criminal history?

You must come to the police department in person to request your criminal history. You must provide your date of birth, social security number and picture identification.

There is a $5.00 charge for this service. Fees are subject to change without notice.

How do I obtain a state records check of my criminal history?

You can request a state criminal history from the Attorney General's Office, BCI unit, 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903. The telephone number is (401) 274-4400.

How can I register my bicycle?

City Ordinance 10.72.030 states that a bicycle license is required.

No person residing in the city for a period of thirty (30) days or more shall ride or use a bicycle without first obtaining from the police department a license as prescribed in this ordinance.

You must bring the bicycle to the police department to be registered. The charge is $3.00. We suggest that you bring a completed registration form with you to expedite processing.

How can I get information about lost or stolen property?

The department encourages citizens to report lost or stolen property.

When a report is made, the Records Division enters a description of missing items into the Lost/Stolen Property file in our Records Management System.

When a citizen finds property and turns it over to the police department, the BCI/Property Officer enters it into the Found Property file. He then tries to identify and contact the owner to return it.

If there is no owner identification associated with the item, he searches the Lost/Stolen Property file for matching items. If he finds any matches, he contacts the reported owner to arrange for an identification by documentary proof of ownership, serial number, or ability to accurately describe the property.

If you have lost something, we recommend you make a lost property report, rather than just calling the Records Office to see if the lost item has been turned in. Without a report, we cannot contact you if your item is subsequently recovered.

Current Attorney General's Office guidelines allow the department to return the found property to the finder if it has not been claimed in 90 days.

If the finder does not claim the item within another 90 days (6 months from turning it in), the item becomes the property of the state. It is then auctioned and the proceeds, less auction expenses, are sent to the state Unclaimed Property office.

Auctions are advertised in the Newport Daily News and on this website's News page.

How can I obtain a hackney license?

Hackney licenses are required in Newport and must be renewed annually by May 31st. For a routine renewal there is a $20.00 charge. For new licenses or for renewals over a year old, the cost is $25.00.

Note: Fees are subject to change without notice.

You must provide two passport size photos. You are subject to a criminal background check and a driver's license check. Fingerprints may be required. Allow two business days for processing of your renewal.

Do you have a copy of a map that shows my property lines?

The Planning, Zoning, Development and Inspections Department does not have any maps that show property lines. Our plat maps show lot approximations in order to determine zoning information only.