Kevin Lynch Named President of RI Police Chiefs' Association

BRISTOL, R.I. – On Jan. 13, the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association inducted its 2023 executive board and installed Roger Williams University alumnus Kevin M. Lynch, Chief of the Bristol Police Department, as president at the annual officers ceremony held at the university.

Lynch has led a distinguished 35-year career in law enforcement and public service across police departments and state agencies in Rhode Island. Lynch has served as Chief of the Bristol Police Department since 2019, and previously served as Commander of the Cranston Police Department and Deputy Administrator of the Public Utilities Commission for the State of Rhode Island. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Roger Williams University’s Criminal Justice program, which is ranked among the top 10 percent criminal justice programs in the country, and teaches in the Criminal Justice program and Policing, Public Safety and Security program at RWU’s University College.

“I was extremely proud to be sworn-in as the President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association, to begin facilitating a fresh platform of goals to meet modern-day policing concepts,” Lynch said. “It was truly a speculator evening for all attendees and the event raised a noteworthy amount of money for Rhode Island Special Olympics. As a dual degree Hawk and member of the faculty at Roger Williams’ University College, it was truly an honor for my family and the university that I hold in this highest regard.”

RWU President Ioannis Miaoulis said: “Chief Lynch exemplifies excellence in public-service leadership for Rhode Island and as a role model for our Criminal Justice students to aspire to, both professionally and in his continued engagement with the university as an alumnus and faculty member. Roger Williams University appreciates our close collaboration with the Bristol Police Department and Chief Lynch’s command staff, and their support and participation in gaining continued professional development through our Justice System Training & Research Institute. Just last year, Bristol was named the number-one safest college town in America – and the credit for that goes to the entire Bristol police department, but especially to Chief Lynch’s leadership."

The Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association, established in 1950, includes active and retired police chiefs and associate members from nearly 50 municipal, state and campus agencies in the state. Its mission is to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement, strengthen public confidence in the police profession, and improve the quality of life in the communities served by its members.

In addition to installing Lynch as President, the following people were inducted as the 2023 executive board:

• Colonel Bradford Connor, of the Warwick Police Department, will serve as vice president.
• Chief Thomas F. Oates III, of the Woonsocket Police Department, will serve as sergeant-at-arms.
• Colonel Michael J. Winquist, of the Cranston Police Department, will serve as secretary.
• Chief Matthew Moynihan, of the South Kingstown Police Department, will serve as treasurer.

Chief Sean Corrigan of the Narragansett Police Department was recognized as the outgoing president during the ceremony.