commisssioner steven parÉ

Department of Public Safety, Providence, Rhode Island

Steven Paré was appointed Commissioner of Public Safety for the City of Providence on January 3, 2011. The Office of the Commissioner of Public Safety is responsible for the policy development and budgetary oversight of the Providence Telecommunications Department which receives all emergency calls and dispatches to police, fire and EMS; the Providence Fire Department; the Providence Police Department; and the Providence Emergency Management Agency. The Office of the Commissioner of Public Safety coordinates with each department to form a unified public safety team to respond to public safety issues for the City of Providence.

The mission of the Office of the Commissioner of Public Safety is to deliver professional public safety services built on trust, respect and integrity. The relationship with the community is center focused to ensure a strong working partnership between the community, police, fire and EMS.

Our goal is to provide a safe environment for those who live, work, visit, shop or attend school in the City of Providence.

Prior to becoming the Commissioner of Public Safety for the City of Providence, Commissioner Paré served in the Rhode Island State Police for 27 years retiring as Superintendent in 2007. Commissioner Paré also served as Director of Global Security for almost four years at IGT, formerly known as GTECH Corporation in Providence, Rhode Island.

Commissioner Paré attained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Rhode Island and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Bryant University.

He serves on the Board of Directors for Lifespan and the Rhode Island for Community and Justice. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and also serves on their Firearms Committee. Commissioner Paré is also a member of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association and has served as past president. He is an alumnus of Leadership Rhode Island and is a graduate of the 195th Session of the FBI National Academy.

The office of the Commissioner of Public Safety is comprised of outstanding and professional staff that are responsible for administration, personnel functions, public safety payroll, public safety budgets and fleet management.