Major Thomas Verdi, a 29-year veteran of the Providence police department, has been named deputy chief by Col. Hugh Clements, police chief.
Verdi takes the post vacated by former Deputy Chief Thomas Oates, who has become police chief in Woonsocket.
Verdi has recently served as commanding officer of the uniform division. He has also been executive officer of the administrative division and has many years experience as a detective, an organized crime investigator, in the patrol bureau and in SWAT operations.
He has also been a member of the state Parole Board and is the first Providence police officer to be appointed to that board.
“I have known major Verdi for many years and I am confident he will serve the residents of Providence and the men and women of this department well and I look forward to working with him as the new commander,’’ said Clements in a statement.
