NEW: Law Enforcement Group Criticizes Lack of Minorities for Cranston Police Chief Search

NEW: Law Enforcement Group Criticizes Lack of Minorities for Cranston Police Chief Search

The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Officers (NABLEO) is criticizing the City of Cranston in its search to replace Police Chief Marco Palombo, Jr. Palombo retired earlier this month after being placed on administrative leave following a parking ticket scandal.

NABLEO said, "Having only recently been apprised of the current search for a new Chief of Police in the City of Cranston, RI, we are extremely concerned regarding its apparent lack of inclusiveness.While, based upon Mayor Fung’s record, it is unlikely that this was its intent, the current search parameters are such that the only possible candidates for this critical position will not include persons of color or females."

It wants the City and Mayor Fung to conduct a full nationwide search for a new Police Chief, "We urge Mayor Fung to conduct a national search to fill this position, thus providing for a greater likelihood of inclusion of both candidates of color and females, as well as to insure that any committee reviewing candidate qualifications be inclusive of those who will be both implicitly and dynamically impacted by their service."

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The group wants the City to broaden its search for candidates beyond New England to include the entire United States. NABLEO said the number of minority candidates to replacement Palombo in New England is too small and "thus, the current search parameters for this position will be exclusively one-sided and devoid of any semblance of inclusiveness."

City Releases Statement

Fung's office released the following statement in response: 

"I want to thank National Chairman Charles Wilson of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers, Inc. for his concern regarding the City of Cranston’s search for a police chief.  I can assure Mr. Wilson that our search is open to all qualified candidates per the parameters set forth in our advertisement that is open to applicants until May 30th."

The statement continued: "Our advertisement has already been revised to expand our search to include agencies that may not be an accredited department.  That change alone, expanded our applicant pool to include several departments from major cities who certainly have women and people of color in their ranks whom could apply for the Chief’s position."