TAC: Teamwork, Accountability and Commitment

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Community honors retiring Police Chief Carey
Saying goodbye to Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas Carey are Emma Dandy, left, and Josephine Byrd, both of Woonsocket, at a farewell ceremony held last Thursday at St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center in Woonsocket. The women said, “He bridged us into the community.” “He was always there whenever there was a need.” (Breeze photos by Charles Lawrence)
By SANDY SEOANE, Valley Breeze Staff Writer

WOONSOCKET – It has been just eight short years since Chief Thomas Carey picked up and left his home in St. Petersburg, Fla., and moved to Rhode Island to take a job as head of the Woonsocket Police Department.

But through testimony from local and state officials this week, it was clear he had left his mark.

“When I applied for this job, I had never heard of Woonsocket,” Carey explained. “I just saw an ad online.”

Since he accepted the job in 2008, Carey has been credited with changing both the morale and image of the Woonsocket Police Department.

“You were the right person at the right time,” said Rhode Island State Police Supt. Col. Steven O’Donnell at a ceremony this week acknowledging Carey’s contributions to the community held at St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center. “We commend you for what you’ve done here, for eights years of stewardship of this police department.”

The son of James and Helen Carey, Carey was born in Massachusetts, the oldest of three brothers. He took his first job in law enforcement in St. Petersburg, moving south with his wife Nancy.

“Throughout his career he was very involved with his community,” said Detective Capt. Michael Lemoine. “And he worked his way through the ranks.”

Carey would serve in St. Petersburg for some 25 years, rising to the role of detective major in the Crimes Against Property Unit. He also earned a master’s degree in public administration before applying in Woonsocket.

When Carey came to the city, the department had a less-than-stellar image and a high turnover in leadership. Eight chiefs served the city during Mayor Susan Menard’s 14 years as mayor, and claims of professional misconduct seemed a regular occurrence.

That all quickly changed under Carey’s reign.

“He addressed department unity by implementing T.A.C.” said Lemoine, a department creed that stands for teamwork, accountability and commitment.

Carey also added bicycle patrols to the force and began building partnerships with local organizations to address crime.

Under Carey’s watch, the police department built relationships with the Woonsocket Prevention Coalition, the Martin Luther King Committee, Riverzedge Arts Project, Connecting for Children and Families, Community Care Alliance, the Center for Southeast Asians, to names a few. He also served as an active member of the Police Chiefs Association, and began working toward state accreditation of the WPD, an extensive process aimed at implementing professional standards. He worked with leadership in the Woonsocket Fire Department to implement consolidated dispatch, a system expected to save the city more than half a million dollars a year.

But Carey brought more than just energy and a great work ethic to the job.

“He is incredibly good at his job and he has a personal warmth about him that you don’t often see in law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney General Peter Nerohna. “I don’t know that there’s a police department in the state that I feel as comfortable working with as Woonsocket and that’s really a tribute to Chief Carey, as well as the men and women in the department itself. Woonsocket really should be proud.”

Members of the chief’s own staff agreed.

“You came to Woonsocket an unknown and quickly assimilated and embedded yourself into this police agency and this community,” said Lemoine. “Through your leadership and professionalism, you restored credibility and legitimacy to the office of chief of police at a time when it was lacking. Wherever your endeavors bring you, that community will be better because of you.”

“I think I speak for everyone in the department when I say you’re an inspiration,” said Lemoine.

Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt gave a brief “roast the chief” with a joke list of little known facts about the chief, which included his favorite Beef Barn order, and a claim that Carey shaved off his moustache “immediately after (WNRI radio personality) Dave Dean mention that he and (fire) Chief Shatraw looked like 1970s porn stars.”

Baldelli-Hunt pointed out that Councilors Christopher Beauchamp and Robert Moreau were part of the team that found Carey, and will also help to find his replacement.

“They’re part of the new team because they did such a good job,” Baldelli-Hunt said.

“I’m going to miss the great spirit that he brought to my office and his commitment,” she added of Carey.

Carey took his time in the spotlight to acknowledge others, especially members of the department he leaves behind.

“I’m telling you they are second to none,” said Carey, pointing out that in the past year, the city has not seen one sustained complaint against a member of the WPD. “I have all the confidence in them that they will continue to meet your expectations.”

Carey said when he first moved to the city, he heard the most complaints about issues including traffic and drugs, so he looked to focus on those areas.

“I tried to listen to the community,” he said, pointing to the work of the city’s Drug Squad. “This group of individuals never, ever stops. Since I’ve been here they’ve worked on several major cases. It’s impossible to calculate how many lives they may have saved.”

In a single case, Carey said the group seized 66 kilos of cocaine.

St. Ann Executive Director Dominique Doiron dedicated a pew in the center of the former church to the chief, just one of many plaques and honors Carey received throughout the evening.

The chief has said he does not plan to take another job in law enforcement, and instead hopes to enjoy retirement spending time with his children and grandchildren.

But he said he will be back to visit the community that welcomed him with open arms.

“Sometimes you just don’t realize the greatness that you have here,” Carey said. “Thank you for all the great memories.”
Rhode Island State Police Col. Stephen O’Donnell holds a Challenge Coin which he presents to retiring Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas S. Carey during the Woonsocket Police Department’s 2015 Recognition and Awards Ceremony. Chief Carey received special honors during the event at St. Ann’s Arts and Cultural Center last Thursday.
Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt praises Chief Thomas Carey for his accomplishments and then lightens up the evening with a list of “the top 10 things you should know about Chief Carey.” Standing next to her are State Sen. Marc Cote, center, and retiring Police Chief Carey.
Woonsocket Det. Capt. Michael Lemoine presents a plaque to Chief Thomas Carey, right, saying “In recognition of your exemplary service to the city of Woonsocket and of your dedicated leadership to the men and women of the Woonsocket Police Department.” Standing with the Chief are, from left, R.I. State Police Col. Stephen O’Donnell, Attorney General Peter Nerohna and Woonsocket Police Sgt. Matthew Ryan. The woman covered by the plaque is Janice Contillo, president of the Woonsocket Rotary.