Providence police deputy chief to take on new role with state traffic tribunal

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Deputy Chief of the Providence Police Department will be leaving his role with law enforcement and taking on a high-ranking position in the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal court.

According to a representative from the Rhode Island court system, Deputy Chief Kevin Lanni will be the state’s next Traffic Tribunal Court Administrator.

Officials said he will assume his new role when Dennis Gerstmeyer, the current Traffic Tribunal Court Administrator, retires in early 2024. Until then, Lanni will train with Gerstmeyer.

A statement from the Rhode Island court system reads in part, “The Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal and the Rhode Island Judiciary would like to offer an early ‘thank you’ and congratulations to Dennis on his decades of public service to the courts. The Judiciary looks forward to welcoming Chief Lanni next month.”

Colonel Oscar Perez, Chief of the Providence Police Department also shared a statement with ABC 6 News on Lanni’s new position, saying in part, “The Department is excited for Commander Lanni in his next endeavor as Court Administrator with the RI Traffic Tribunal and we are incredibly grateful for his 27 years of service with the Providence Police where he worked to keep our community and city safe. I am appreciative of Commander Lanni’s numerous contributions to the mission of the Providence Police Department and his unwavering commitment to public service.”

Lanni worked with Providence police for 27 years, and has spent most of his career as commanding officer of narcotics, firearms, and organized crimes.

Last year, Lanni was one of three finalists for police chief. Ultimately, Oscar Perez was named the 38th chief of police.