EDITORIAL: Cranston Police Has Two Standards - One for You and One for Them

EDITORIAL: Cranston Police Has Two Standards - One for You and One for Them

Cranston Police have historically been transparent and have released body camera footage of incidents regarding the public and even elected officials.

Body camera footage of Major Todd Patalano going to the home of State Senator Josh Miller was released nearly immediately. Miller, a Democrat, vandalized a parked car at Garden City.

Similarly, body camera footage of former Cranston City Councilor Matthew Reilly passed out in a vehicle was released nearly immediately. Reilly, a Republican, has subsequently been charged with first-degree child molestation, second-degree child molestation, and enticement of a person under 16.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

In both cases, the transparency ended rumors and showed that there was no special treatment by the police.

But, when it comes to an incident involving a Cranston Police officer the rules change. The slow walk has started and the claim that it is “under investigation” has been rolled out.

Fast forward to Sunday. According to what is known is that two individuals allegedly were involved in a shoplifting incident at the lululemon store at Garden City. A Cranston Police officer responding pulled over a vehicle believed to be involved in Providence and the police officer discharged a weapon.

That is it. Drip, drip, drip of information by the police.

Cranston Police have refused to release the body camera footage, claiming that the incident is under investigation.

Chief Michael Winquist wrote in an email to GoLocal, "The reason these videos are not released until all witnesses and the Officer are interviewed is to protect the integrity of the investigative process. If the video was released first, witness statements could be tailored to or potentially influenced.”

Winquist rejected the idea that it was comparable to the Miller or Reilly or other videos.

With all due respect to the Colonel, the need for transparency is much more paramount in this incident. It is imperative that the public sees it. Now.

The brutal murder of George Floyd came to light because a young woman passerby videotapped the incident for all to see.

In places like Georgia and Tennessee, videos of officer-involved shootings are released in hours to avoid the appearance of a cover-up.

In the Newport wedding melee last summer, Newport Police immediately released videos of the incident. It was in the best interest as others were distributing videos of the incident that were edited and did not show critical elements of the disturbance.

The public deserves the right to see the video, and the Cranston standard has been to release videos promptly.

It is what it is.