Providence Cannot Be Safe Under Pare, Says Police Union Calling for Commissioner's Removal
GoLocalProv News Team
Providence Cannot Be Safe Under Pare, Says Police Union Calling for Commissioner's Removal
"We are asking for the Council to remove Commissioner Pare as Commissioner of Public Safety for the good of the entire city," the letter states.
"Public Safety Commissioner Pare has not been living up to his job title. Instead of ensuring and promoting public safety in the City, Commissioner Pare continues to be a deterrent to the effective operation of the Providence Police Department and to its Police Officers who actively do work to protect and serve," said the letter, signed by the union's executive board.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTProvidence is now facing one of its most violent periods in recent times. There have been 35 murders in capital city in the past 15 months.
Strained Relationship Deteriorates Further
The relationship between the rank and file of the department and Pare has been under stress for years, but has now hit an all-time low, as crime has surged and the union is at odds with Pare over a high profile incident involving officers and a trio of juveniles who attacked approximately a dozen people and shot them with BB-guns pellets.
"When Commissioner Pare suspended Officers Hourahan and Georges, he proved to the Providence Police Department that he is primarily interested in furthering his own political agenda and the agenda of anti-police interest groups. These officers responded to a chaotic situation, in which officers were called to this scene by multiple concerned citizens of the city to stop violent behavior. Their actions fell within the official Use of Force policy and were thoroughly justified in relation to the situation presented to them," wrote the FOP in the letter.
"Regardless of these actions being justified, the Commissioner was more concerned about his own political image and appeasing anti-police groups than the wellbeing of the City and the officers involved in these situations. By pushing for the unfair suspension of officers when their actions fell within training and policy, the Commissioner continues to handcuff not only the police on the streets but also Police Chief Hugh Clements, Jr. and the entire Police Administration from doing their jobs and effectively managing the Police Department," added the FOP.
The FOP says that Pare is playing politics with policing. And, moreover, that the city is less safe as a result of the Commissioner's actions.
"When police officers are repeatedly and unfairly publicly criticized and suspended for doing what is within training and policy, it creates an overwhelming feeling of uncertainty in the officer’s mind as to what actions he/she can and should take to deter criminal behavior/activity. This feeling of uncertainty is currently widespread throughout the entire Police Department, including within the newest recruit class. Officers are left wondering whether they will be the next to be singled out, chastised, and suspended simply for doing their jobs," wrote the FOP.
The FOP cited the following, "From 6/23-7/17 (the 24 days leading up to the Sayles Street incident where Officers Hourahan and Georges were suspended), Providence Police made 245 traffic stops, 51 pedestrian stops, 14 patrol firearms arrests, and 4 special unit firearm arrests. These numbers show positive, proactive, professional policing happening in the City. Usher in the uncertainty placed in the minds of the Commissioner, Mayor, and anti-police special interest groups, and you see a stark difference in the 24 days after the unjustified suspensions (07/17-08/10) where there were only 59 traffic stops, 5 pedestrian stops, 1 patrol firearm arrest, and 2 special unit firearm arrests. This is not at all because our police officers are intentionally not doing their jobs, and this isn’t because the City suddenly experienced [fewer] violations and less crime — if you look at the number, crime is not going down."
"Commissioner Pare has done little but reinforce the fear that officers have for doing their jobs. The Commissioner continues to push his own personal agenda and the agenda of the anti-police interest groups, siding with the Mayor and turning police matters into political stunts. He is not acting in the best interests of the City’s residents, or the local businesses. What was once a thriving and vibrant city is quickly becoming riddles with crime, with news story after news story of innocent people being hurt or killed in Providence. People from around the state and the greater New England area are scared to come into the city and support local businesses. With Commissioner Pare continuing as the Public Safety Commissioner, we see a bleak future for Providence," concluded the letter signed by the Executive Board of the Providence FOP Lodge #3.