Providence FOP Issues Statement: “Violence Is Destructive, Not Productive"

Providence FOP Issues Statement: “Violence Is Destructive, Not Productive"

The Providence  FOP Lodge 3 Executive Board on Tuesday morning issued a statement on the events of Monday night.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE:

[It was a}Terrible night for the City and PPD. We thank all the Rhode Island communities, RISP, Mass SP, all who sent police officers to assist the PPD during the cowardly violent attacks on our city, on the businesses in our city, on the innocent, and on our local law enforcement officers who merely wanted to ensure a peaceful protest.

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

We do not at all condone the terrible actions of any police officer and we understand and support the right to peaceful protest, BUT to incite a riot of this magnitude doesn't send a message of justice; when does violence mean justice ... violence is destructive, not productive ... it is harmful and not helpful.

The overall majority of police officers are professional, respectful and responsible, especially in Providence. We interact with our communities and community leaders daily. We are the ambassadors to our city and we take that job seriously and will not stand for outsiders coming in and attempting to destroy what has been built between the community and police officers who serve them. These violent actions are not destroying the relationships between the community and law enforcement, they are strengthening them.

The law-abiding members of society are recognizing the violence for what it is: VIOLENCE!... and it serves no purpose other than to destroy and disrupt. These are acts of domestic terrorism and should be treated as such. We will stand together with the leaders of our communities and all law-abiding citizens to ensure their safety and security... the actions by these hate groups won't weaken our resolve, it will only strengthen it.

Every officer who responded to this scene both from the ppd and other agencies should be praised not ridiculed for their actions during this most extreme violent act against them and against society. The true meaning of justice will always prevail. In doing so we ask our community leaders to continue working with us to keep the calm.

Respectfully,  Providence FOP Lodge 3 Executive Board