KINGSTON, R.I. — March 1, 2022 — The University of Rhode Island has named a veteran police officer with a lengthy record of success with the URI and North Providence police departments to the position of deputy police chief.

Paul Ricci is the first individual to hold the position of deputy police chief in the University’s history. When Michael Jagoda was promoted from police major to police chief and director of Public Safety, the University eliminated the position of major and replaced it with the higher rank of deputy chief.

“Our department is constantly evolving and responding to the broader and more complex public safety demands of a growing global university,” Jagoda said. “The promotion of Paul Ricci to deputy chief is an example of how our department is putting the best people in key positions. His training, experience and practical skill stood out from all the other candidates. The new position is part of the department’s continuing commitment to building a progressive, responsive, and compassionate law enforcement agency that serves all members of the campus community.”

Ricci had a 21-year career with the North Providence Police Department and held many positions and ranks during his tenure there, including administrative captain and acting assistant police chief.

A lifelong resident of North Providence, he wanted a career in law enforcement to make a positive impact and help people in his hometown. While serving as a member of the Community Policing Unit, Ricci helped it become nationally recognized and served as a model of the community policing philosophy.

“In that unit, we built lasting bonds with community members. Interacting with the community during presentations and events was especially satisfying, and I continue to enjoy partnering with our diverse community at URI,” Ricci said. “Experiences that took place during the formative years to improve service and enhance public safety here at URI.” 

Ricci has worked at URI for nine years. In his new role at URI, he will run the day-to-day operations of the Police Department.

“Working within the Department of Public Safety and other internal and external stakeholders, we will work hard to improve our service to the community and keep our campus safe,” he said. “URI has a great police department, and the officers are very committed to helping our community members.

“Having been in law enforcement for much of my adult life, I will use that experience and my leadership skills to help my colleagues and the community by incorporating a fair, collaborative management approach. In my new position, I will continue to assess our operating procedures to find ways to improve the organization and our service to the public.”

In his new position as deputy chief, Ricci works closely with the Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police Michael Jagoda, to assist with law enforcement operations as well as planning, organizing, directing and coordinating community policing and outreach events. 

Ricci joined URI as senior information technologist for the Department of Public Safety in 2013. During his four years in that role, he developed policies for emergency alerts and for the campus security camera system. As supervisor of the public safety communications center (dispatch), he improved its operations and helped redesign the center.

He was hired as a URI police sergeant in 2017 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2019. In that role, he was the officer-in-charge for large-scale events, such as Alumni and Family Weekend, commencement, athletic events and Ryan Center concerts. He streamlined the process for crime statistics reporting to the federal government and chaired the Public Safety Awards Committee.

Ricci served as the evening shift sergeant supervisor and later as the day shift lieutenant. He has chaired all search committees for University Police Officer 1 and 2 positions, and also supervised several complex and major criminal investigations.

He is an experienced grant writer and has extensive training, knowledge and practice with the federal Incident Command System and National Incident Management System. He earned a certificate in emergency management from the Community College of Rhode Island.

Ricci earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Roger Williams University and his master’s degree in education from URI.

Gianna Cardarelli, a University of Rhode Island Public Relations major and intern in its Department of Marketing and Communications, wrote this press release.