2026 -- H 7715

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LC004871

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING SMITHFIELD POLICE DETECTIVE LIEUTENANT DOUGLAS

CERCE ON BEING NAMED THE 2025 RHODE ISLAND POLICE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION

DETECTIVE OF THE YEAR

     Introduced By: Representatives Santucci, Hopkins, Quattrocchi, Place, Noret, Azzinaro,
Bennett, McNamara, J. Brien, and Read

     Date Introduced: February 11, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     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

2025 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.

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LC004871

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