RI Democratic Party Chair McNamara Releases Statement on RI State Police Report
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RI Democratic Party Chair McNamara Releases Statement on RI State Police Report
Read the Statement Below
“I have had an opportunity to review the report prepared by the Rhode Island State Police concerning allegations of aggressive ticketing by the Cranston Police Department, and interference by Mayor Allan W. Fung and certain members of his administration in the operation of that vital law enforcement agency.
I find it deeply troubling that the Mayor and city officials used their positions to interfere with the day-to-day work of the Cranston Police Department – an agency that should be free from political influence and intimidation.
Their actions undermined the authority of the newly appointed chief, Colonel Michael J. Winquist, helped foster an atmosphere of distrust and poor morale for the many hardworking, dedicated police officers, and created unnecessary and avoidable costly litigation for the people of Cranston. In a word, they gave a ‘black eye’ to the whole department.
I applaud Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell for his leadership of this review, and Captain Kevin M. Barry and Lieutenant Matthew C. Moynihan for their efforts to maintain order and morale in a most difficult time in that department’s history."