Warwick Police command will soon see significant change, with the upcoming retirements of Christine Kelley, the department’s first female to attain the rank of major, and Capt. Joseph Coffey triggering a string of promotions to be formally recognized in a May 24 ceremony.

Col. Steven McCartney said Monday that Kelley would leave the department a week from this Friday. He said she elected to remain on the department payroll until the first week in November rather than receive a lump sum payment for the vacation and comp time due her.

“That was her choice,” he said.

The chief said Detective Capt. Christopher Stewart, who joined the force in 1993 and was promoted to captain in 2009, would be promoted to the rank of major.

Also leaving the department is Coffey. The chief said Coffey is retiring May 17, and he would be promoting Lt. Jamie Calise and Lt. Mark Ullucci to the rank of captain. Calise joined the force in 1998. He was promoted to sergeant in 2007 and to captain in 2010. Ullucci joined the force in 2001, promoted to sergeant in 2009 and to lieutenant in 2012.

These promotions in turn will result in the promotions of Sgt. Thomas Snow and Sgt. Earl Read III to lieutenant. Officers Steven Nelson and Daniel DiMaio will be promoted to the rank of sergeant.

In addition, six patrol officers will be named to the force at the May 24 ceremony. Five are academy trainees: David Boardman, Thomas Greene, Ali Jaafar, Steven Moretti and Alfred Silveira. The sixth recruit, Derek Mourato, is a transfer from the North Smithfield department.

Kelley was promoted to the rank of major last May, making her among the highest-ranking female law enforcement officers in the state. Kelley began her career with the department in December 1989 and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in July 1997, lieutenant in August 2001 and captain in October 2007. She has earned an Honorable Service Commendation as well as 13 Third Class Commendations.

Kelley earned an associate’s degree from the Community College of Rhode Island, a Bachelor of Science from Roger Williams College and a master of science in administration of justice from Salve Regina University. In an interview soon after the announcement of her promotion last spring, Kelley talked about her career in law enforcement and how it has been an experience of starting at the bottom and working her way to the top. But she is not consumed by the work, saying that she focuses on the job while at work and enjoys getting home and taking her rescue dogs for walks or a hike. She put her love for the community of Warwick as her priority. In her position as major, Kelley served as the interface with the news media and in high visibility cases issued press releases and answered questions.

Coffey joined the department in December 1995 and during his career served in the Uniform Patrol Division, the Prosecution Division and the Inspectional Services Division. He was promoted to captain in 2010. He has received two Second Class Commendations, eight Third Class Commendations and is the recipient of 10 ribbons. While he was accreditation manager, the Warwick Police Department was awarded its fourth national CALEA accreditation.

In 2003, Coffey earned his B.S. in criminal justice from Roger Williams University. He also initiated and collaborated with a number of law enforcement and mental health agencies to develop policies and procedures for dealing with the mentally ill.

Asked if he might also be considering retirement, McCartney replied, “I’m not leaving unless they throw me out.”