SCITUATE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island State Police have released recommendations from an outside consultant focused on increasing diversity at the agency.
Col. Ann Assumpico says state police have already adopted some of the changes suggested in the 154-page report released Tuesday. Among those are the creation of a mentorship program for applicants to the state police academy and improved efforts to publicize the agency’s physical requirements.
Assumpico says at least 44 percent of the 1,403 applicants to the academy this year are women or minorities. Last year, 35 percent were.
The department has budgeted to hire 30 more troopers this year. Assumpico hopes to expand the 228-member force to about 300 in the future.
The assessment was performed by Chicago-based law enforcement consultant Terrance Gainer.
