NORTH PROVIDENCE – As a young man first getting into law enforcement, Alfredo Ruggiero Jr., like many others, dreamed of one day returning to his hometown to lead its police department.
Ruggiero, 54 and the town’s deputy chief for the past year, said he was surprised and humbled upon hearing from Mayor Charles Lombardi that the mayor would not be running a search for a new chief and would make Ruggiero the replacement for the retiring Chief Arthur Martins when Martins leaves North Providence in June. That being the case, he said he’s definitely ready to assume the department’s top job.