By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
There is a change at the top of the Central Falls Police Department, as a new mayor selects a new police chief.
Dozens of family and friends turned out Monday to wish Daniel Barzykowski well on his last day as chief of the Central Falls police, who said that he has fond memories of his 21 years with the department.
“I’m very fortunate to have the experience, the education I’ve had in this department. Growing up in this city, it’s a dream come true to have the opportunity to have the ability to work here.”
Barzykowski hugged most everyone in the crowd of well-wishers, as well as each member of the police department as he left.
He pointed with pride to the ties he cultivated with community groups, including Black Lives Matter Rhode Island.
“To have the Central Falls Police Department standing shoulder to shoulder with Black ives Matter Rhode Island, making real social change, that’s what it’s all about. The fact that they’re here, for a common goal, to honor me, I want to honor them back to make sure we keep building on what we are doing here,” Barzykowski said.
Barzykowski was bypassed by new mayor Maria Rivera in favor of Providence Police Sergeant Anthony Roberson, who met before the brief ceremony with his predecessor and the command staff, but had no comments as he left police headquarters.
Neither Barzykowski nor police union president Lt. John Carroll were critical of Rivera or Roberson, a sergeant in the Providence Police Department.
“It has been the union’s position from the very start that he doesn’t have the qualifications, he doesn’t have the requisite experience level to be able to lead a police department, said Carroll, President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 2.
“That being said he is in position as we speak, we will serve him and serve this community as best we can, and we will make sure that he succeeds, because if he does not succeed, we do not succeed,” Carroll said.
Barzykowski said he has no immediate plans, but is not planning to leave Central Falls.
“I know my wife would like to go somewhere a little bit warmer so, maybe we’ll look down south, who knows?” he said.
