Barrington Police Chief Honored by Appointment to Ethics Commission

"It's an honor to be chosen by the governor to be part of an organization that reviews complaints of ethical misconduct. With my 32 years of experience, I'm hopeful that I can assist the board."

That's how Barrington Police Chief John M. LaCross responded on Friday after being named to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission. Gov. Lincoln Chafee announced his appointment Thursday.

"I can think of no Rhode Islander more fit to serve on the Rhode Island Ethics Commission than Chief John LaCross," Chafee said in a news release. "Chief LaCross has earned respect for his extensive background in law enforcement as well as for his committed involvement in the community. He has lived a life of the highest ethical standards and I have no doubt that he will be a positive addition to the Ethics Commission."

LaCross said his goal as a public servant always has been "in service to the state."

The police chief said he was approached a few weeks ago about the position, and he said he was interested. His name was forwarded on to the governor.

"I thought, if I could help on the statewide level," he said, and "as long as it doesn't make too many demands on my job as Barrington police chief."

LaCross said he thinks he might be the first chief of police to serve on the Ethics Commission.

"He's probably right," said Jason Gramitt, staff attorney and education coordinator at the Ethics Commission. "But I have no way of checking the occupations of all the members way back to 1987," when the commission came into existence.

LaCross fills a position last held by former Ethics Commission Chairwoman Barbara Binder, whose term expired in September, 2009. The police chief’s appointment is to fill out a five-year term that ends in September, 2014.

LaCross has been Barrington police chief for more than nine years. He served with the Rhode Island State Police for 23 years before retiring as executive officer, the second-highest ranking post at that time.

LaCross has lived in Barrington for 21 years. He and his wife, Judy, have two adult daughters.

LaCross is an active member of The BAY Team, Barrinton's drug and alcohol prevention coalition. A lifelong hockey player, LaCross volunteers his time as an assistant coach for the Barrington High School women’s ice hockey team.

LaCross is a board member of the Rhode Island Samaritan’s Suicide Prevention Organization and speaks to surviving victims who have lost a loved one to suicide. He is also a trained volunteer at Women & Infants Hospital and has provided spiritually guided meditations for hundreds of attendees during Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) annual vigils and the annual Barrington Unites vigil for anyone who has lost a loved one.

LaCross holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Studies from Anna Maria College and underwent extensive leadership training as a Rhode Island State Trooper, most notably an 11-week Executive Police Leadership Program at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission is a constitutionally mandated body empowered to adopt, enforce and administer the Code of Ethics for all public officials and employees. The Commission educates and advises public officials and employees about the standards of conduct set out in the Code of Ethics. Additionally, the Ethics Commission oversees the financial disclosure program which requires all elected officials, all candidates for public office and certain categories of persons appointed to serve as officers or members of state or municipal agencies to file statements annually.