FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BRISTOL, RI– On Friday, March 8, 2019, Bristol Police Chief Josue D. Canario submitted to Bristol Town Administrator Steven Contente a letter of intent to retire effective May 9, 2019. Chief Canario has served with the Bristol Police Department for 33 years, the last 11 years as Police Chief. As of March 11, 2019, Chief Canario will be on voluntary medical leave until the date of his retirement, May 9, 2019.
On Monday, March 11, 2019, Town Administrator Steven Contente appointed Brian P. Peters as Interim Chief of Police. Chief Peters retired from the Portsmouth, RI Police Department in 2018 at the rank of Deputy Police Chief. Chief Peters has experience and training that includes management, investigations, budgeting, media relations, internal affairs, and professional standards. Chief Peters has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Administration of Justice from Salve Regina University and a Master’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University.
Chief Peters will serve in the role of Interim Police Chief while an application and testing process is advertised and conducted.
I wish to thank Chief Josue D. Canario for his 33 years of dedicated service to the Town of Bristol. I am confident that Chief Peters will provide professional law enforcement leadership at the Bristol Police Department.

Bristol Town Administrator