Former police chief named head of DMV

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- A former Rhode Island police chief has been appointed the new administrator of the state's Division of Motor Vehicles.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee announced Thursday that he has picked Anthony Silva to be the next leader at the DMV.

Silva was the director of the state's Municipal Police Academy and has previously served as police chief in Cumberland, R.I. Before that Silva served as an officer in the Lincoln Police Department.

He replaces Carole Dwyer, who had served as interim administrator since December.

Chafee says Silva's experience in law enforcement and government administration makes him a good pick to lead the DMV.

The agency was for years plagued by inefficiencies and long waits for customers. Chafee, an independent, has said fixing the DMV is one of his top priorities.