Arlington Police Chief to Head P.A.A.R.I Police Council

ARLINGTON, MA — Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan has been tapped to lead a group of active police chiefs dedicated to changing the way the disease of addiction is handled by law enforcement.

The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (PAARI) announced the formation of the PAARI Police Council, a group of working police chiefs and law enforcement leaders who will advise and guide the organization as it develops. PAARI police departments are dedicated to encouraging opioid users to seek help, distributing life-saving opioid blocking drugs and connect those struggling with addiction to treatment options.

"The P.A.A.R.I. Police Council will act as a force multiplier, increasing the organization's logistical reach to all corners of the country. This is a vital portion of P.A.A.R.I.'s development as we have grown from a handful of police departments to 160 agencies in 27 states," Chief Frederick Ryan said in a statement. "There are literally thousands of other law enforcement agencies across the country who are doing tremendous work, and the P.A.A.R.I. Police Council can be a resource to each of them as we continue to respond to the nationwide opioid epidemic that is unnecessarily claiming so many lives every day."

The council is made up of police chiefs and sergeants from around the country:

• Sergeant Michael Braley: Everett, Wash. Police Department
• Chief Danny Langloss: Dixon Ill. Police Department
• Sergeant Brittney Garrett: Jeffersontown Ky. Police Department
• Chief Tim Lentz: Covington La. Police Department
• Chief Joseph Solomon: Methuen, Mass. Police Department
• Officer John Gill: Scarborough, Maine Police Department

"As one of the first law enforcement agencies in the South to join with P.A.A.R.I., Jeffersontown has already been an active liaison for the Initiative to other agencies in our region. The P.A.A.R.I. Police Council is a great step forward as we formalize and improve communication and efforts among a diverse group of law enforcement agencies," said Garrett in a statement.

Image via the Arlington Police Department