updated August 2007

How do I get a V.I.N. check for my vehicle?

The State of Rhode Island requires that all vehicles with an out of state title under go a VIN Check prior to registration.  The Smithfield Police Department conducts VIN Checks on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.  Stop at the Front Communications Center and advise the dispatcher that you would like a VIN Check.  You must have the vehicle, the title (or a copy) and any document with your name and address on it.  The procedure takes about ten minutes.  The cost is $10.00 (cash or check).

Note:  Vehicles over ten years old do not require a title in order to be registered in Rhode Island, therefore a VIN Check is not necessary for these vehicles.
 

How do I report a crime, or an accident, or make a complaint?

If you have an emergency or observe a crime in progress, just dial 911. If you have a routine complaint, or are in search of information, you can dial 401-231-2500. The dispatcher will either help you or direct your call to the proper person or division.  

How do I contact the Dog Officer/Animal Control Warden?

The Animal Control Warden can be reached at 233-1055. If he is not there you can leave a message on the answering service. If there is an emergency, you can call the Smithfield Police and we can make radio contact with the ACW. The hours of the Animal Control Warden are Sunday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. See the Animal Control page here.


 

How do I get to the Smithfield Police Station?

From points north take Route 95 South to Route 295 South to exit 8B, Rte 7 north (Douglas Pike), the North Smithfield exit. Go to the second traffic light and turn left onto Route 116 south (George Washington Highway). Follow Route 116 south to the traffic light at Route 104 (Farnum Pike). Turn left at the traffic light onto Route 104 south and then take your next right back onto Route 116 south. The station is ¼ of a mile on the left, across from scenic Stump Pond.

From points south take Route 95 north to Route 295 north to exit 7B (Rte 44 west), the Greenville exit. Go to the fourth traffic light and turn right onto Route 5 north (Cedar Swamp Road). Follow Route 5 north to the stop sign at Route 116 (Pleasant View Avenue). Merge right at the stop sign onto Route 116 north. The station is 1½ miles on the right, across from scenic Stump Pond.

How do I get a copy of a police report?

It takes at least five business days to process police reports. To get a copy, call the Smithfield Police Records Bureau (401-231-2500, ext. 24) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to ask if the report is ready. You may pick up the report during those hours or make arrangements to have the report left out for you after normal business hours.  There is a small cost.  It will cost you .15 cents per page.

When do I have to report an accident?

The State of Rhode Island requires that a report be filed in any accident that results in death or personal injury, or where damage exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) to any one vehicle. All drivers involved must file a report regardless of who was injured or who’s car is damaged. Parties to an accident are given twenty-one (21) days to file a report with the State of Rhode Island. State accident report forms are available at the station anytime.

How do I get a Temporary Restraining Order?

For a Temporary Restraining Order against an abuser who is related by blood or marriage, or you have had children with, or if either of you are under eighteen and have had a significant dating / engagement relationship together in the last six months, you must go to the Family Court. If you have had a dating relationship in the last six months and you are both over eighteen years old, you must go to the District Court.

Once at the proper court, you must fill out an affidavit, which is a sworn written statement about the incident or incidents that have lead you to fear for your safety. The affidavit will be reviewed by a judge in your presence and the judge may ask you questions. If the judge signs the order, it is good for up to twenty-one (21) days. The abuser will then be served with the order by a court officer.
 

If you want the order extended beyond the twenty-one days, you must appear at a hearing the date for which will be put on the Temporary Restraining Order. Your abuser will be required to appear so you may want to be escorted.
 

Emergency restraining orders are also available (after court hours) through the shift commander of any local police department.

If you need more information about obtaining a temporary restraining order, please contact the station. For assistance in obtaining a temporary restraining order, or for any information regarding domestic violence issues, including stalking, temporary shelter, assistance in court, etc., please contact Sojourner House* at 765-3232 or 658-4334.

Also see our Domestic Violence page.

Other important numbers:

* These agencies DO NOT use Caller ID and returned calls are always BLOCKED for your protection.

What is RI-VINE?

Rhode Island Victim Information and Notification Everyday

RI-VINE is a free, anonymous, computer-assisted service that provides victims of crime two important services:  Information and Notification

Information – For offender custody information, call 1-877-RI-4-VINE (1-877-744-8463) and follow the prompts.  Callers use basic information to search the RI-VINE database.  RI-VINE will quickly provide the caller with offender information including status, location, and, if a sentenced offender, anticipated release date.

Notification – Callers may choose to register for automated telephone notification when an offender has changed status.  In some cases, letters may be sent.

RI – VINE is provided by the Rhode Island Department of Corrections

How can I become a Smithfield Police Officer?

You may apply to be Smithfield Police Officer only during open application periods. The Department's open application period will start after the 1^st of the year.  Continue to monitor the web site for more information on when the application period will start.  If you live out of state and cannot get to the Smithfield Police Station, you may call and leave your information with the Uniform Commander, Captain Robert Eaton Jr., and we will mail an application to you.  The minimum required qualifications to become a Smithfield Police Officer are:  

• Must be eighteen years or older;

• Must be a citizen of the United States;

• Must possess a valid driver’s license;

• Must possess a Bachelors Degree preferably in the field of Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement.

Also see the employment page for further information. 

How and when can I get fingerprinted for my job?

The Smithfield Police Department conducts fingerprinting for childcare workers, securities work, gun permit applications and schoolteachers.  Any person seeking employment with a private school or public school department who has not previously been employed by a private or public school department in Rhode Island during the past twelve (12) months shall undergo a national and state criminal background check to be initiated prior to or within one week of employment after receiving a conditional offer of employment.  The applicant shall apply to their local police department, where they reside.  Fingerprinting is done in the Detective Division from 8:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., each weekday by appointment. If that time is not convenient, other arrangements can be made. All applicants must provide proper identification before being fingerprinted. Please contact the Smithfield Police Department Detective Division between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to make an appointment (401-233-1036).  There is a $36.00 processing fee, a $10.00 fee for securities work and gun permits, (each card). Childcare employment fingerprinting is free.

How do I go about filing a complaint about a bad check? 

If you or your business have been a victim of receiving a check for goods or services rendered and upon deposit received a notice from your bank that the account on which the check was drawn, has been closed or non-sufficient funds exist (the returned check must be stamped indicating so).  You must follow-up by sending a certified letter to the person who wrote the check.   A copy of a form letter is available at the Smithfield Police Department Detective Division, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  After waiting 7 days from the day the certified letter was sent and receiving no reply, you can then file a complaint with the Smithfield Police Department Detective Division.

How do I get a Beach or Boat registration sticker for Georgiaville Beach and Pond?   

These stickers are no longer available at the Smithfield Police Department. Please visit the Recreation Department page on the Town of Smithfield web site.

What is the Collision Reconstruction Unit?

The Collision Reconstruction Unit currently consists of four members of the Smithfield Police Department.  Each member has to undergo 240 hours of intense training.  A good foundation in mathematics is a plus, but is not necessary.  When there is an accident that involves death or serious injury and the Uniform Commander determines that an collision reconstruction is necessary to investigate the cause, an collision reconstructionist will be summoned to the scene.  The reconstructionist may also be required to attend an autopsy in the event of a fatality.  The reconstructionist will then spend several weeks determining what caused the collision (mechanical, physical or health related).  All four members have completed the 240 hours of training and are certified collision reconstructionist.  For more information, please contact Lieutenant Michael Rheaume or Lieutenant Michael Mousseau at (401-231-2500).

What is the Smithfield Honor Guard?

The Smithfield Honor/Color Guard currently consists of 15 Smithfield Police Department members.  The 15 member team participates in parades, promotional ceremonies and special events.  The Honor/Color Guard consists of two Captains, three Lieutenants, three Sergeants and seven Patrol Officers.  For more information on how to obtain the services of the Smithfield Police Honor/Color Guard, please contact Sergeant Michael Smith (401-231-2500).

How do I file a complaint against Department Personnel?

To view Smithfield Police Department Civilian Complaint Procedures, click here.

What is the Smithfield Off-Road Patrol Program

The Smithfield Police Off-Road Patrol Program consists of 12 Smithfield Police Department members.  The 12 member team currently patrols and monitors off-road activities within Smithfield.  The 12 member team consists of two Captains, two Lieutenants, one Sergeant and seven patrol officers.  For more information on the Off-Road Patrol Program, please contact Lieutenant Alberto Fetta (401-231-2500) or afetta@smithfieldpd.com or view the Off-Road Patrol page here.

If you have any questions regarding law enforcement or the Smithfield Police Department, please e-mail them to Lt. Michael Rheaume at mrheaume@smithfieldpd.com.