Congratulating Smithfield Police Detective Lieutenant Douglas Cerce on Being Named the 2025 Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association Detective of the Year

WHEREAS, Detective Lieutenant Douglas Cerce began his exemplary public service career in 1999 when he joined the Smithfield Police Department. In 2003, he attained the position of temporary detective and, thanks to his tireless work ethic, abiding integrity, strong leadership qualities, and superb police skills, he has regularly been promoted up the leadership ladder to the position of Detective Lieutenant, and has earned recognition and praise from his colleagues and superiors; and

WHEREAS, Detective Cerce was honored by the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, for his “Exceptional investigative leadership and service to the law enforcement community.” Detective Cerce has spent more than two decades in the detective division, and has overseen many complex investigations while, at the same time, mentoring his fellow detectives and excelling in his many community outreach events; and

WHEREAS, Detective Cerce is particularly well known for his expertise in technology- related cyber fraud cases, solving some of the most difficult cases police departments have to deal with, many of them involving massive amounts of money stolen. Detective Cerce has also performed his duties in a superb fashion as a leader of the Rhode Island Detectives Association since 2010; and

WHEREAS, Most recently, Detective Cerce has been spending more time on the administrative side of law enforcement, where he has implemented a new record system and has been training officers on how to access and use this system. Thanks to Detective Cerce’s outstanding work through the years, many cyber victims have seen their assets partially or completely restored and, equally important, many sophisticated cyber criminals have received significant jail sentences for preying on the vulnerable; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby heartily congratulates Smithfield Police Detective Lieutenant Douglas Cerce on receiving the 20 Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association Detective of the Year Award. We furthermore thank him for his tireless work and crime-solving skills that have helped so many victims of cyber crimes and other crimes, and we wish him continued success in all of his future endeavors; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Smithfield Detective Lieutenant Douglas Cerce.