Former Cranston Police Chief Craddock to Lead DMV

A former Cranston police chief has a new job — running the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

The DMV is part of the state Department of Revenue and Craddock, a lawyer, assistant professor at Bristol Community College in Fall River, Mass., is also the chair of the RI Motor Vehicle Dealers Hearing Board.

“Colonel Craddock brings to this job a lengthy and effective track record in law enforcement,” said DOR Acting Director David M. Sullivan. “He will focus on improving customer service and reducing wait times at the DMV – an agency that touches the lives of nearly every Rhode Islander.”

“I am honored to be appointed to this important position,” Craddock said. “I look forward to assisting the agency in providing quality customer service and ensuring expediency in all its transactions. I look forward to working with the employees there. I also look forward to aiding in the implementation of a comprehensive system modernization at the DMV that will improve service.” Craddock, whose official title will be Associate Director of Revenue Services (Motor Vehicles), will oversee an agency with 176.5 FTEs and an annual operating budget of approximately $22 million.

Craddock served the Cranston Police Department from 1976 to 2002. As chief of Rhode Island’s third-largest municipal police department, he led and directed more than 200 officers and civilians; prepared, implemented, and oversaw an annual operating budget of $20 million; and led the development of a new employee evaluation report, among other duties and accomplishments.

He has served on the Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Dealers Hearing Board for the last 15 years. The Board regulates the operation of motor vehicle dealerships. As chair, he oversees a panel that adjudicates complaints brought by the State, law enforcement, or consumers; interprets rules and regulations; imposes sanctions for violations and improper business practices – sanctions which may include, among other things, fines and suspension or revocation of licenses; and regulation of business practices. Craddock was appointed to the board in 2000, elected as chair in 2002, and appointed to his second term in 2008. In August 2014, then-Governor Lincoln D. Chafee appointed him to a third term. He plans to resign from this role at the end of the month.

Craddock received a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice, with a minor in accounting, from Bryant University in 1981. He received a master of science degree in administration of justice from Salve Regina University in 1994. He received a juris doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law in 1998. Since 2008, he has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of The Providence Center, helping to provide supervision, guidance, and strategic vision for one of Rhode Island’s largest mental health and substance abuse agencies. Craddock will begin his position at DMV on June 1, 2015. He succeeds Anthony J. Silva, a former Cumberland Police Chief, who in January became chief of staff for Lieutenant Governor Daniel J. McKee. DMV Deputy Administrator Clare S. Sedlock has overseen the agency during the search for a new Administrator.

Photo Courtesy: The Providence Center