New Bedford Police Name New Public Information Officer

NEW BEDFORD — New Bedford Police have named Lt. Ricard Rezendes as the department's new Public Information Officer. He replaces Capt. Amos Melo, who was promoted to Captain and is Station Commander at Station 3.

Lt. Rezendes is a 28-year veteran of the New Bedford Police Department. He joined the force in 1989, was promoted to Sergeant in January 2000 and to Lieutenant in July 2007.

He was formerly assigned to detectives as the department's Police Prosecutor and was appointed the department's Training Director in January 2009. In that position, he oversaw all hiring and mandated training of department personnel, all administrative services, the department's community outreach and post-opiate overdose follow-up program.

He has received a life saving award and the chief's commendation.

“Lt. Rezendes is extremely dedicated to our department and community, he has a relentless work ethic that is second to none with a stellar work history,'' Police Chief Joseph Cordeiro said. "He is passionate and caring about his service to the public. I am very pleased that he has accepted the position of Administrative Assistant to the Chief/Public Information Officer. I hold him in very high regard and have great expectations that he will represent the department well as our Public Information Officer.''

--New Bedford Police