The Hazard Memorial building in Peace Dale, South Kingstown. Photo: JacobKlinger, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
South Kingstown has a new police chief, and he is someone the department already knew. Alfred E. Bucco III, a 24-year veteran who most recently served as deputy chief, was sworn in Monday night after the Town Council affirmed his appointment.
Town Manager James Manni recommended Bucco, and council members answered with a loud “yes” at the meeting, The Independent reported. Bucco took the oath from Council President Rory McEntee, with the council chamber full of onlookers and uniformed officers. He has spent his whole career with the South Kingstown department, working up through the ranks to major and then deputy chief.
Why Manni picked him
Manni, a former commander of the Rhode Island State Police, told the council what convinced him. About three or four months ago, he said, police were called to South County Hospital over a possible bomb and a potential active shooter. Then-Chief Matthew Moynihan was out of state, and Bucco took charge.
“For about 20 minutes, we all thought it was real. I saw one person take charge,” Manni said. “He was calm, he was cool, he was decisive, and it was very obvious that he was a leader amongst the ranks, and they all respected him.” Manni told The Independent that Bucco “has risen to the occasion over the past four years.”
A quick handoff
Moynihan announced in late October that he would retire after more than 30 years in law enforcement, the last four as South Kingstown’s chief. He was sworn in on June 27, 2022, after 24 years with the state police, WPRI reported. His last day was Nov. 4. We covered the retirement and the handoff plan earlier this month.
Under that plan, the new leader would serve as acting chief starting Nov. 5 and be sworn in by the council Nov. 9, which is what happened.
Bucco now leads the department that covers villages including Wakefield, Peace Dale and Kingston, home to the University of Rhode Island campus. Residents who want to hear the swearing-in and Manni’s remarks can find the Town Council’s meeting recording on the town’s YouTube channel.
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