The Board of Public Safety supervises the Warwick Police and Fire Departments and serves as the licensing authority for the City of Warwick.  It is made up of three civilian members appointed by the Mayor from among the qualified electors of the city.

The Board is a combination of two historical Boards, the Bureau of Fire Commissioners and the Board of Police Commissioners.  The Board of Police Commissioners was created by Rhode Island Public Law, 1911, Chapter 695, approved May 5, 1911.  The Bureau of Fire Commissioners was created by Rhode Island Public Law, 1953, Chapter 3136, approved May 7, 1953.   

In 1960, Warwick's City Charter combined the duties of the Board of Police Commissioners and the Bureau of Fire Commissioners into a single Board of Public Safety.  Article VIII of the City Charter outlines the structure of the Board.

The regular meetings of the Board of Public Safety are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.  One meeting is held in July, August and December.  Meetings commence at  6:00 p.m. in the Board of Public Safety meeting room, 2nd floor, Warwick Police Headquarters, 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, Warwick.   

The Board of Public Safety has authority for the administration of the Public Safety function of the City, administration and oversight of the Police and Fire Departments, and acts as the licensing authority for the City of Warwick. It is made up of three members appointed by the Mayor from among the qualified electors of the City, to serve three-year terms.

Current board members are:

Chairman:
Charles Benson

Vice Chairman:
Michael Gilbert

Clerk:
James Paolucci

Contact person: Lisa M Ferolito, Secretary (401) 468-4217    Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For an archive of meeting minutes and current agenda, please visit the Rhode Island Secretary of State Open Meetings site