Mayor Smiley Announces Independent Review by PERF of City’s Response to Brown Incident

The City has committed to releasing the full after-action report to the public upon completion

Providence, RI — Mayor Brett P. Smiley today announced that the City of Providence has formally retained the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) to conduct an independent, third-party review of the City’s response to the recent tragic shooting at Brown University, the investigation that followed and the City’s communication with the public.

“The Providence community deserves an independent, third-party review to carefully assess the response to this tragic incident,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “Acts of violence like this leave deep and lasting impacts, not only on the victims and their loved ones, but on the entire community. The devastating shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket is a painful reminder of how deeply these moments affect families, neighborhoods and entire cities. It also strengthens our resolve to examine our own response with honesty and transparency. This process is focused on accountability and learning —identifying what worked well and where we must improve in training, tools, tactics, and technology. We are committed to releasing the full report once it is complete and to continuing to earn the community’s trust.”

Scope of Work 

Under the agreement, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) will:

• Review and synthesize all relevant after-action reports from Providence Police, Fire/EMS, Communications, and the Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).

• Conduct confidential interviews with willing stakeholders to assess strengths, challenges, and gaps in investigative procedures, equipment, technology, coordination, and communications.

• Facilitate a comprehensive after-action discussion in Providence, led by PERF Executive Director Chuck Wexler, convening representatives from the Mayor’s Office, Mayor’s Communications Office, Providence Police, Providence Fire/EMS, PEMA, Brown University, Rhode Island State Police, Brown University Department of Public Safety, and other partner agencies

At a minimum, the review will examine equipment and technology (including the City’s Real Time Crime Center and tools such as license plate readers, AI-enabled technologies, cameras, drones, DNA and gunshot detection systems), inter-agency coordination, investigative processes and public communications.

PERF will then produce a comprehensive after-action report synthesizing all findings and providing evidence-based recommendations and clear guidance for the City and its partners.

Timeline and Cost 

The review will proceed in structured phases:

• Initial Phase (30 days): Project kickoff, information collection, interviews, and review of after-action reports

• Second Phase (60 days): Completion of interviews and facilitation of the full after-action meeting in Providence

• Final Phase (120 days): Synthesis of findings, preparation of an interim report, factual review, and completion of the final report

The total contract value is $95,000, paid in installments tied to project milestones. Any approved expenses will be reimbursed at actual cost.

While the release of APRA materials marked a significant step in public transparency, the selection of an independent reviewer represents an important next phase in the City’s accountability efforts.

“We are undertaking this review with seriousness and a clear sense of responsibility,” Mayor Smiley added. “At a time when our neighbors in Pawtucket are grieving and our own community continues to heal, we are reminded that our responsibility is not only to understand what happened, but to act on what we learn. We must continue strengthening how we serve, protect and support our residents, and do everything in our power to help prevent future tragedies.”