Providence Police and Fire Need Investigation to Find Out the Truth - Kenney

Providence Police and Fire Need Investigation to Find Out the Truth - Kenney

Since I heard the news of a Providence Firefighter recounting his story and the firefighter's union claiming that he was racially profiled and questioned at gunpoint by two Providence Police Officers in front of his fire station while on duty and in uniform I’ve been deeply disturbed and confused. Since I joined the ranks of Public Safety for the City of Providence back in 1980 I’ve considered all Providence firefighters a part of my extended family. I’ve also known many Providence Police officers over the years and I’ve had the utmost respect and trust in them and the relationship between the departments has been very close. They need us and we need them. This is why it was so difficult to understand this confrontation.

While I don’t have any information besides what has been reported on the news and social media, I watched the interview with firefighter Paci, read the press release from the Firefighters’ Union and the press release from the Police union as well. As far as I’m concerned everything else that has been discussed or posted online is simply hearsay.  I assume everyone else with an opinion on this matter, have no more information than this thus far. Emotions are running high on both sides of the story and baseless conjecture by any of us is simply fanning the flames of separation.

My purpose in writing this is to attempt to reason with interested parties to wait until the necessary investigation is complete and we have all of the facts – including body cam footage. Obviously there will be a full investigation by PPD and Commissioner Pare. This will go on immediately, I’m sure, and the facts will be known to them. I hope the Commissioner allows video to be released in the name of transparency. Personally I don’t trust the Commissioner to be fair and just. I’ve seen him conduct numerous kangaroo courts over the years.

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In my opinion, the best thing that could (and should) happen would be a joint, informal, investigation between Local 799 and FOP Lodge #3. The president of each union and one other member from their respective Executive Boards should be there. Also present should be FF Paci, the two patrol officers who were involved, the PPD Sgt. who visited the fire station that morning, FF Paci’s officer that evening, and the Battalion Chief on duty (at that same station) that night. They could get both versions of the story (which are almost identical), the background information regarding the dispatch of these officers, and jointly review the body cam video.

Hopefully, they would come to an understanding of the facts and find that there was no profiling. That wouldn’t need to imply that FF Paci’s account was false. As far as I can see the stories are close enough, at least on the surface, that the biggest question is intent. I’m hoping it was a misunderstanding. To me that would be the best outcome. Call me a glass is half full kinda guy – at least on this issue.

As a retired PFD firefighter my first reaction is to put my trust in a brother firefighter. While I don’t know FF Paci personally I’ve heard from many current firefighters that I do trust and respect that he is a good guy and a standup firefighter – that’s good enough for me. I can’t believe that he would lie about any of this. I would have to believe his statement as delivered and stand behind him.

On the other hand, I would hate to believe that any Providence Police officer would be guilty of profiling, especially in front of a fire station. Disclaimer – I’ve sat in a car and on the wall at that fire station (Messer Street) many nights while I was stationed there.

This is why I hope the two unions get together and get to the bottom of this unfortunate incident. As I’ve stated, I hope it’s a misunderstanding that can be successfully agreed upon by both parties. That would be the best outcome. If that can’t be resolved the next best solution would be for the full truth to come out and let the chips fall where they may.

God bless the firefighter brotherhood (and sisterhood)!

God bless the police officer’s brotherhood (and sisterhood)!

I hope you guys can come away as allies…you need each other out there!

Tom Kenney is a retired PFD Captain.