Police chief Tamburini set to retire in August

Johnston Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini announced this week that he will retire in August after five decades in law enforcement.

Tamburini took over as head of Johnston Police in 1995, arriving in town after several years with the Providence Police Department. He is a member of the Rhode Island Criminal Justice Hall of Fame and has instituted several popular programs during his time leading the town’s force, such as Walk With Cops and the Johnston Police Explorers Program.

Tamburini is also a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army’s 72nd Signal Battalion before joining the Providence Police.

In previous interviews, Tamburini has said trust between the department and the public is critical.

“I really want to focus on that [trust], because as chief of police it’s important to me that no matter what we do with the community, [we need] a strong relationship and a level of trust,” Tamburini said last year. “I think that carries through to the rest of the department, so they can be assured of that.”

More coverage of the chief’s retirement will be coming in future editions of the Sun Rise.