Community Policing Unit

"Police and Community-Partners in Excellence"

The Newport Police Department was the first police department in the State of Rhode Island to implement the philosophy of Community Policing in 1989. The unit has received national acclaim for its approaches to problem solving strategies and programming, which serve as a model for other police departments.
 

The Newport Police Department's Community Oriented Policing Unit, commanded by Sergeant Jason Head, is part of the Patrol Division. The Community Policing Unit has Four Community Policing Officers, each of whom is assigned to a specific area in the city and will also perform as School Resource Officers (SRO) in a liason capacity. 


The Community-Oriented Police Officers will be assigned networking responsibilities within specific neighborhoods to identify and resolve relevant problems in cooperation with residents, businesses, social groups, and other government agencies. Problem-solving and pro-active crime reductions are the central missions of the Community-Oriented Police Officer in an effort to provide more effective and long-lasting results.


The School Resource Officer (SRO) liason function will be available to handle conflicts as needed and enforce all necessary federal, state, and local codes and laws. SRO's are there to act as a resource and to instill positive interaction and communication with students for a stonger community relationship.


Problem solving and working with the community has been a staple for the members of the Newport Police Department. Please e-mail Sergeant Jason Head at jhead@cityofnewport.com or call (401) 847-1306 ext. 5726 for any questions and concerns.