In addition to the swearing in of Bradford E. Connor as Warwick Chief of Police, the Board of Public Safety made the following promotions in a ceremony held Jan. 19 at the Veterans Middle School. Because of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, attendance was limited but that didn’t lessen the applause. In addition, fourteen probationary officers received their badges. Also, because there has not been a promotional ceremony in some months, two Sergeants, Castaldi and Austin, who were promoted earlier, received their badges. The following bios of the officers was read by Commander Mark Ullucci:

Captain Andrew P. Sullivan

Captain Andrew P. Sullivan is a 24-year veteran of this police department. He has served in all three patrol divisions for his first nine years and was a field training officer, training many of our newest officers. He did an amazing job in this capacity… I was one of those officers.

In 2006 Captain Sullivan was promoted to Detective and in 2008 he was promoted to Sergeant. After just over two years he was assigned back to Detectives as a Detective Sergeant. Captain Sullivan served as a Detective Sergeant for the next 7 years until he was promoted to Lieutenant in 2018. Over the last two years Captain Sullivan worked in Patrol, Professional Standards and ultimately found his way back to Detectives as that Divisions Executive Officer. It’s safe to say Captain Sullivan enjoyed his time in Detectives, spending half his career there. He has also served as the Police Departments Peer Support Team leader answering difficult calls when officers needed assistance themselves.

Prior to the Warwick Police, Captain Sullivan served in the United States Marines Corps and he holds a bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies from Rhode Island College. Captain Sullivan is a resident of Warwick and is devoted to this city and it’s residents.

Captain John McAniff III

Captain John McAniff III is an 18-year veteran of this department. He has worked as both an officer and a Sergeant in all three patrol divisions for 14 years. Before being promoted to Sergeant he served as a detective for three years. Captain McAniff also served as a field training officer and a field training officer supervisor. When Captain McAniff was promoted to Lieutenant he took over the entire Field Training Officer Program. Captain McAniff was also served as the Officer in Charge of the Uniform Committee and the officer in charge of the Honor Guard.

For the last year Captain McAniff has been serving in the Professional Standards Division and upon the retirement of a Captain late last year, Captain McAniff stepped up and ran the entire professional standards division as a Lieutenant.

Captain McAniff holds a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Westfield State University with a minor in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from Johnson and Wales University. Captain McAniff is a cooper certified physical fitness assessor who has also attended the FBI-LEEDA school for Command Leadership.

Lieutenant Steven M. Nelson

Lieutenant Steven M. Nelson is a 25-year veteran of the Warwick Police Department. Lieutenant Nelson has served in all three patrol divisions. He also served many years as a Community Service Officer. When promoted to Sergeant, Lieutenant Nelson served over 5 years as a patrol supervisor.

Lieutenant Nelson served 24 years on the Warwick Police Honor Guard and spent 15 years as a member of the police department’s underwater search and recovery dive team. Lieutenant Nelson has also served as a field training officer.

Lieutenant Nelson has a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Salve Regina University. He is a military veteran that has served in both the United States Air Force and the Army Reserve (criminal investigation command).

Sergeant Gregory L. Johnson

Sergeant Gregory L. Johnson has over 35 years of experience as a police officer. He started his career in 1984 with the West Warwick Police Department. In West Warwick he served as the SWAT team leader, Honor Guard leader and the longest serving union president. He retired in 2006 as a Captain. Most notably in West Warwick, Sergeant Johnson participated in Operation SWAN, a yearlong sting operation conducted with State Police targeting stolen vehicles. Sgt. Johnson was also the first supervisor on scene for the station night club fire in 2003 and coordinated the initial response to this tragic event.

Here in Warwick Sergeant Johnson has serves on the honor guard, is part of the rifle team, serves as a field training officer and is a range officer. In 2012 Greg was assigned to the Traffic Unit and is recognized as an expert witness in crash investigation. He also teaches the crash investigation class at the municipal academy.

Sergeant Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice from Salve Regina University. It was going to school here that he met his wife. They have three children all of which serve in the United States Army. His son Derek is assigned to SOCOMM at MacDill in Florida. His son Ryan is attending an officer basic course at Ft. Benning Georgia and his daughter Emily is serving in the Middle East as a member of the Rough Riders Communications battalion of the Alabama National Guard.

Sergeant Aaron C. Kay

Sergeant Aaron C. Kay is an 8-year veteran of the Warwick Police Department. Prior to this agency Sergeant Kay served over 3 years on the Tiverton Police Department. Here he has worked in patrol and was assigned to the Traffic Unit for 3 years before being promoted to Sergeant.

Sergeant Kay is a military veteran having served in the United States Air Force and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sergeant Kay as a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Park University and has attended police schools that include traffic reconstruction and roadside impaired driving enforcement. Sergeant Kay is a drug recognition expert and an instructor for the RI municipal police academy.

Sergeant William E. Castaldi

Sergeant William E. Castaldi is an 18-year veteran of this department. He has served 11 years in patrol working all three divisions. Sergeant Castaldi worked 6 years in the Community Service Division as a school resource officer at Toll Gate High School. Sergeant Castaldi had a passion for assisting kids and fostering positive relationships between students, the school department and the police department itself. So much so that Sergeant Castaldi was appointed Director of the Warwick Police Athletic League or PAL, in 2019.

In this role Sergeant Castaldi was able to sit on the executive board for PAL and work with the Warwick Parks and Rec Department to keep kids involved in sports, teaching respect, integrity and teamwork.

Sergeant Charles A. Austin Jr.

Sergeant Charles A. Austin Jr. is a 9 year veteran of this agency. He has served on the 2nd and 3rd patrol divisions. Sergeant Austin has also served as a field training officer and is a Warwick Police Range officer.

Prior to the police department, Sergeant Austin served in the United States Marine Corps.

Sergeant Christopher R. Cote

Sergeant Christopher R. Cote is a 6-year veteran of the Warwick Police Department. Prior to this agency Sergeant Cote served 3 years on the Littleton New Hampshire Police Department and then 3 years on the Coventry RI Police Department.

For the last 6 years Sergeant Cote has served on the 3rd Platoon. He is currently a member of the Mental Health Crisis Response Team and has served as a Drug Recognition Expert.

Sergeant Cote is a military veteran having served 6 years in the RI Air National Guard where he was deployed to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sergeant Cote has a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Roger Williams University and has received police training in impairment detection and crisis intervention.