Barrington Police Chief Retires

February 8, 2019 5:35 pm

By: Tim Studebaker

BARRINGTON, R.I. (WLNE) – After 23 years with the State Police, and 17 years as the chief of Barrington’s police department, Chief John LaCross is retiring today. A lot of things have changed over the years.

Chief John LaCross says, “When I first came here, I think there was a different mindset. And that has changed to work more in the community.”

LaCross says he’s seen a shift in the way the community connects with the department.

LaCross says, “When I came here, there was no website. And, we have a couple people and detectives who are pretty good with Twitter and Instagram and Facebook.”

He says although it’s easy to get caught up online, it’s important for the department to connect with families and businesses face to face.

LaCross says, “We’ve tried to really step up the community policing efforts to be more visible.”

The job comes with its highs and lows. He says the toughest part is telling a family that someone close to them has died.

LaCross says, “They see me with a sergeant or somebody and they just lose it. And it’s very difficult.”

On the other end of the spectrum are the good moments.

LaCross says, “The best part is actually getting emails or phone calls from the public – the residents – praising our police officers for their professionalism, compassion, integrity.”

He’s not just putting his feet up in retirement. He wants to help officers deal with the stress of the job.

LaCross says, “Meditation worked for me, and it does work for officers on the west coast, so I want to try to bring that philosophy here to the east coast.”