3 vet street cops bid JPD adieu

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The Johnston Police Department (JPD) retired three valuable members and officers last week.

In what has become a tradition, the JPD hosted a Retirement Ceremony and breakfast sendoff last Friday morning at The Bridge at Cherry Hill. In a somewhat emotional ceremony, members of the JPD officially bid adieu to Major Marc A. Boisvert, BCI Detective Raymond Peters and Patrol Officer Jeff Fryer.

“These knowledgeable, dedicated and professional officers served with quiet strength and dignity,”Johnston Police Chief Richard Tamburini told members of the department, family and friends. “Their combined experience, credibility and ethical behavior, along with their performance throughout their careers, reflects the tradition of men and women of this department.”

As chief of the department, Tamburini said it was a pleasure to congratulate and pay tribute to each of the retirees.

Tamburini spoke about each retiree, starting with Boisvert. Calling him an integral part of the command staff, he highlighted Boisvert’s many accomplishments.

“Major Marc Boisvert has demonstrated the highest degree of professionalism throughout his career. Marc made the best use of this time in every category: patrol, detectives, traffic safety, community relations, juvenile programs and commanding the finest Explorers Post program in New England. Each had its own set of challenges and for sure Marc had the knowledge and skill to answer the call,” he said. “I was impressed with Marc’s valuable contribution and unwavering dedication and his great sacrifice of time and energy. His enthusiasm for providing the best training for our Explorers is matched only by the compassion he has for each Explorer and the officer of this command. His insight was a vital resource to our officers and detectives.”

Boisvert joined the JPD in 1995. During his 18-year tenure he received numerous letters of recognition and commendation awards. He was a recipient of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Community Hero Award for his untiring work as the program coordinator for Explorer Post 405. In 2011, Boisvert received the Attorney General Justice Award in recognition of his dedication and commitment toward crime prevention. He is a past member of the JPD’s Special Response Team and assistant commander of the Honor Guard. He is certified with the International Police Mountain Bike Association and in the police operation of all terrain vehicles. He holds certifications in accident reconstruction, federal motor carrier safety regulations and is a child passenger safety technician. Boisvert served as an instructor at the R.I. Municipal Police Training Academy for the past seven years teaching radar/laser and commercial enforcement. He most recently became the investigative division commander and his prior assignments included community policing, patrol division, traffic, commercial enforcement and special services. During Boisverts service, he donned many hats, including employee assistant program coordinator, sex offender notification coordinator, member of the R.I. Sex Offender Management Task Force and the Department detail officer.

Deputy Chief Daniel O. Parrillo made it clear that Boisvert would not be easily replaced.

“Since Marc announced his retirement, seven officers have been assigned the additional tasks that Major Boisvert handled by himself,” he said.

Boisvert is a 1988 Burrillville High School graduate who earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Rhode Island College in 1993. He is the son of Blanche Boisvert and the late Charles Boisvert. He and his wife Brenda have two children, a son Collin and daughter Brooke.

Moving on to Detective Raymond Peters, Tamburini said he turned the BCI bureau into a better managed and more disciplined unit.

“Throughout his career he has been inspiring, hardworking, optimistic and ethical. Ray has the uncanny ability to beat the U.S. government out of thousands of dollars in military equipment and Johnston is now combat ready,” he said.

Detective Peters graduated from the R.I. Police Training Academy in 1988 and has served the JPD for 25 years. He is a CCRI graduate with an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement. Prior to joining the JPD, Peters served in the U.S. Army in the 173rd Airborne Long Range Surveillance detachment in which he became a certified combat track and sniper instructor. During his JPD career, Peters served in the patrol division on all three shifts as a detective, BCI/Crime Scene Unit commander, Sniper Team leader, lead instructor for the firearms training unit, the department armorer, taser instructor and SWAT team commander.

Peters was given a letter of commendation from former Chief William P. Tocco Jr. for his actions during a hostage situation in which a heavily armed male under the influence of narcotics threatened to kill his wife. At that time, then Patrolman Peters negotiated and initiated his active listening skills, built a rapport with the hostage taker and convinced him to give up.

“After several similar incidents through the years, Peters was among a small group of officers who saw a need and were instrumental in creation of the JPD SWAT Team,” said Tamburini. “During his tenure he pushed for higher training standards and played a key role in the group receiving its certification from POST [Police Officers Commission on Standards and Training].”

Due to his extensive training, knowledge, fortitude and passion, Tamburini appointed Peters as the first non-ranking SWAT commander.

In that capacity he faced a limited budget and long list of needed weapons and equipment, so he turned to the military surplus program to equip his team. His relationship with the military not only benefited the SWAT Team but led to the town of Johnston receiving over $4.1 million in surplus vehicles, equipment, weapons and computers.

Peters also possessed a strong interest in forensic science and in 2009 he entered the BCI-Crime Scene Unit. Over the years he processed and developed key evidence in numerous felony cases and has solved close to 10 breaking and entering cases through fingerprint evidence. He was part of a group of seasoned detectives who worked together to solve the recent Donald Greenslit Murder Case, which resulted in a conviction.

“Peters is expected to enjoy a brief retirement writing, growing rare orchids, sailing and scuba diving in Newport before he begins a new career as patrol officer for the Foster Police Department,” said Tamburini, making reference to a character in Peters book, “Cag Expert at War.”

Patrol Officer Fryer was unable to attend the retirement ceremony.

Tamburini spoke of Fryer as a street cop and cop’s cop.

“Jeff was known for his keen sense of street savvy. And that, coupled with his dedication and bravery, served to enhance his overall performance of outstanding police work,” said Tamburini. “It also made him widely respected and a role model throughout the department. Jeff is modest and exact in the performance of his duties. It is regrettable that the department is losing a great street cop.”

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