Providence Mayor Appoints Non-Sworn Police Major

The appointment of a new Providence (RI) Police Department major is creating controversy in the city.

Mayor Jorge Elorza appointed Michael Stephens, formerly the city's director of recreation services, as the Community Relations and Diversion Services Major on Friday.

Stephens is a civilian with no prior law enforcement experience, Turnto10.com reports.

While he will not be uninformed nor carrying a gun, his lack of law enforcement experience doesn’t sit well with everyone.

According to the job description posted earlier this year, he will “report directly to the Chief of Police and will supervise the Training Bureau and Training Academy as well as the promotional process and testing acquisition for the supervisory ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. They will also be responsible for the recruitment, selection, retention, training of all future recruits.”

He will also "administer the development and execution of interventions designed to reduce responses to calls that are more appropriate for specialized services like mental health and other counseling supports. The position shall be responsible for building and strengthening trust and respect within the community."