December 27, 2022
Today, Mayor-elect Brett Smiley announced several key appointments within Providence Public Safety that will serve with the new Administration in January.
“A top priority of my Administration is ensuring that every resident feels safe and that our community feels as though our public safety officials are accessible and qualified,” said Mayor-elect Brett Smiley. “I am proud to announce these talented individuals as key members of our staff who bring invaluable experiences, know our community well and are dedicated to improving the quality of our public safety.”
Derek Silva was announced as the Chief of the Providence Fire Department. Silva has been a part of the department for 16 years, working in every division of the Providence Fire Department, most recently serving as Assistant Chief. Silva brings an in-depth knowledge of fire science, hazardous material responses and emergency medical services, and has an in-depth knowledge of the Providence community.
Clara Decerbo will continue serving the City of Providence as its Director of the Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). Decerbo has worked within PEMA for the last four years, most recently as Director, helping to shape Providence’s COVID-19 response and vaccination efforts.
Joseph Migliaccio will continue to serve as the Director of Telecommunications. Migliaccio has served the City of Providence since 2001 and has served as Interim Director of the Telecommunications Department for the past year.
Police Chief Clements has been interviewed and asked to stay on. After careful consideration, the Chief has made the difficult decision to leave city service to pursue an exciting opportunity before him. Clements will continue to support the department with the transition and advise the Mayor-elect on the appointment of the next Chief of Police. An announcement on Chief Clements’ future endeavors will be made in the upcoming weeks.
Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Paré will not continue his service and will retire from his position, effective January 2, 2023. The Mayor-elect intends to focus on the transition in the Police Department and will not immediately fill the role of Commissioner.
“Our city has come a long way under the leadership of Colonel Pare and Chief Clements, who together have served the people of Providence for over 40 years,” said Mayor-elect Brett Smiley. “They have worked tirelessly and put Providence on the map for one of the best community policing strategies in the country. We thank them for their decades of service and wish them the best in their next endeavors.”
Additional staff announcements will be made in the coming weeks.