Mayor Elorza, Commissioner Pare and Colonel Clements announce the appointment of Michael Stephens, Captains Kevin Lanni and Henry Remolina to the rank of Major
Michael Stephens to serve as first Providence Police Department Community Relations and Diversion Services Major
Providence, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, Commissioner of Public Safety Steven M. Paré and Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr. today announced the appointment of Michael Stephens as the first Community Relations and Diversion Services Major within the Providence Police Department and also the appointments of Captains Kevin Lanni and Henry Remolina to the rank of Major.
Stephens has served the City of Providence for 24 years, most recently as the Director of Recreation since 2015. In his current capacity, he is responsible for the implementation and management of citywide recreation programming, including summer camps, recreation centers and several annual basketball leagues. Stephens is an active leader within the community and has been an integral part of various organizations. He is a founder of the Rhode Island Breakers AAU basketball program, former coach at Davey Lopes Recreation Center and has served as President of the West Elmwood Intruders Youth Football Team. Stephens is a Providence native and graduate of Central High School.
“Throughout Michael Stephens’ accomplished career, he has always prioritized community-building on behalf of the City of Providence,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “As the city’s first Community Relations and Diversion Services Major, Michael will continue to serve as a relationship-builder, strengthening and expanding the connections between our community and the police department while bringing the voice of the community to the highest levels of leadership within the department. I also congratulate Captains Lanni and Remolina on their promotions and look forward to working with them in their new leadership roles as Majors of the Providence Police Department.”
The Providence Police Department also announces today the promotions of Captains Kevin Lanni and Henry Remolina to the rank of Major. Both Captains are graduates of the 57th Providence Police Department Training Academy and have risen through the ranks within the department for nearly twenty-five years. They are highly respected amongst their peers and have served with distinction throughout their careers, both earning numerous awards and commendations, including the Archambault Award, the highest honor within the department. Captains Lanni and Remolina were partners several times over the years, working together in the Community Policing Unit and the Narcotics Bureau.
“This is an exciting day for the City of Providence and the men and women of the Providence Police Department,” said Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr. “Throughout my career I have worked side by side with some of the finest police officers in the country and Captains Lanni and Remolina personify what it means to be a true community police officer. They are proven leaders both within the department and throughout the community and have been actively involved in working with outside organizations and partners to build trust, enhance transparency and bridge the gap between police and the community. I congratulate Michael Stephens on his new position and know him to be a highly motivated and enthusiastic leader in our city. We look forward to working with him in his new role at the Providence Police Department.”
Captain Kevin Lanni has served on the Providence Police Department since 1997 and has worked in numerous capacities and supervisory roles throughout his career. He is one of the youngest officers in the history of the department to attain supervisory ranks. Captain Lanni currently serves as Commanding Officer of the Narcotics Bureau, coordinating high level operations focusing on narcotics and firearms activity occurring within Providence as well as surrounding jurisdictions. Captain Lanni previously served as Director of Training for the 68th and 69th Providence Police Department Training Academies, two of the largest and most diverse in the department’s history. He has served as a Lieutenant and Captain within the Patrol Bureau and as Commanding Officer of the Mounted Command Unit. At the rank of Sergeant, Captain Lanni was a supervisor in the Narcotics, Firearms and Organized Crime Bureau. Additionally, he has worked in the Community Policing Unit, Licensing Bureau and Special Services Division. Captain Lanni grew up in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood and currently resides in Providence. Kevin has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Rhode Island College and has undergone extensive training in multiple areas of law enforcement including crisis negotiation through the FBI. In 2017, Kevin graduated from the 270th session of the prestigious FBI National Academy for Law Enforcement in Quantico, VA, as the youngest officer from the PPD to ever attend. Captain Lanni also graduated from the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), 67th session, at the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and was a member of Leadership Rhode Island Omnicrom II Session. Captain Lanni is the son of the late Providence Police Lieutenant Bendetto Lanni.
Captain Henry Remolina has served on the Providence Police Department since 1997 and has worked in numerous capacities and supervisory roles throughout his career, most recently as the Commanding Officer of the Community Relations Bureau. The Community Relations Bureau was created by Colonel Clements in 2017 and Captain Remolina’s leadership has been a vital part of creating and implementing youth programs, events within the community and mentorship opportunities to strengthen police interactions with the citizens that they serve. At the rank of Lieutenant, Captain Remolina oversaw the Detective Bureau within the Investigative Division and at the rank of Sergeant, was the Commanding Officer of the Property and Evidence Bureau and also worked in the Patrol Bureau. One of the highlights of Henry’s career was having the opportunity to serve as the District Commander in Districts two and three, covering South Providence, the place he and his family moved to from New York City when he was 10 years old. Captain Remolina attended Roger Williams Middle School and Central High School and through his role as District Commander, had the rewarding opportunity to truly return to his roots, working the neighborhoods where he grew up, serving his own community and family in South Providence. Additionally, Captain Remolina has worked in the Narcotics, Firearms and Organized Crime Bureau and the Community Policing Unit. He is the recent graduate the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), 78th session, at the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Boston University.
A formal swearing in and promotional ceremony for Majors Stephens, Lanni and Remolina will be scheduled within the next several weeks.