Local Officer Among 11 Justice Award Recipients

Capt. Marc Boisvert is one of 11 recipients of the annual Justice Awards, scheduled to be presented by state Atty. Gen. Peter Kilmartin in a ceremony tonight at 6 p.m.

Now in its seventh year, the annual awards "are given in recognition of the individuals’ extraordinary commitment to justice and are presented in honor of the eight previous Attorneys General," according to a statement.

Boisvert [pronounced BOH-vay] will receive the Gen. James O'Neill Award for Crime Prevention, named in honor of the former attorney general who served from 1987 to 1993, according to a press release from Kilmartin's office.

Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini explained during a recent interview that it's Boisvert's dedication to the Explorers — a program for young adults to look into possible careers in law enforcement — that led him to recommend Boisvert for the honor.

"He's the motivator, he's the person who's going to motivate these kids," Tamburini said. "They get involved in this very intensive training program that Capt. Boisvert puts together, and right away they're donating their time to come in and do the programs and assist in any way they can."

Tamburini also credited Boisvert with keeping watch on the Explorers' progress as they participate in community service opportunities and the weekly training regimen.

"Their knowledge and maturity is something that Capt Boisvert monitors on a weekly basis, and [follows] how they grow in the program," Tamburini explained. "We've had some very special Explorers reach that age of 20 and go on to be successful — and some of them went into law enforcement; we have several here that were former Explorers."

And in considering Boisvert for tonight's award, Tamburini said it was the success of the program — as well as conversations he's had with Explorer program members — that convinced him to support Boisvert.

"It's one of the premier Explorer programs in Rhode Island and beyond — he is so intent on giving these young men and women a chance to achieve their hopes and dreams in becoming good citizens and becoming successful in life," Tamburini explained. "When I hear some of these Explorers describe their experience with the captain, it made me look for some way to honor this officer — it's my honor and pleasure to present him to the Attorney General to be honored for running a very, very successful Explorer program."