A Top Cranston Police Officer Is Cited for a Range of Alleged Conflicts
GoLocalProv News Team
A Top Cranston Police Officer Is Cited for a Range of Alleged Conflicts
Patalano is a Democratic candidate for State Senate in District 26 in Cranston.
However, a range of parties are raising questions about the dueling roles, and one is raising concerns about a previous case of conflict of interest involving Patalano.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe concern is that Patalano has failed to recuse himself from the conflict situations.
Ruling for State Police While Son Was Going Through State Police Academy
John A’Vant, of the Rhode Island Guardians and a former detective for the Rhode Island State Police, says that recently Patalano demonstrated a clear conflict.
Patalano served as one of the three hearing board members on the case of Rhode Island State Trooper Damien Maddox. The state police moved to fire Maddox in March and Patalano was the “independent” member of the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights (LEOBOR) hearing board
There were a number of complicating factors. While Patalano was a hearing officer his son was a State Police recruit going through the State Police Academy.
“He should have recused himself from the arbitration,” said A’Vant.
“His son was in the academy, and it was impossible to be impartial,” adds A’Vant.
In the end, Patalano was the deciding vote to fire Maddox and his son graduated and he is now a member of the State Police.
Patalano defends his decision.
GoLocal asked Patalano, "You were serving and making a decision relative to an action of the State Police simultaneous to the State Police judging the viability of your own son, wouldn’t it have been a better decision to recuse yourself?"
“No, why would I recuse myself? I am relied upon in that aspect. I was contacted by the State Police and the officer’s pick.”
When asked if it created the perception of a conflict, Patalano was emphatic. “Absolutely not,” said Patalano.
Just days after Patalano was the deciding vote for the State Police to fire Maddox, the lawyer for the State Police who had presented the case to the hearing board was donating to Patalano.
The decision to fire Maddox was made on August 6.
On August 12, the Patalano campaign reported a $500 donation from Vincent Ragosta, Jr., the State Police's attorney.
Police Union Is One of Patalano's Largest Political Donors
One of Patalano's five biggest donors to his State Senate campaign is the Cranston police union, IBO Local 301, which has donated $2,000.
Patalano has four other donors besides the union who have given at the $2,000 level, the state limit. Of those four, two have the last name Patalano.
He admitted to GoLocal that he is responsible for negotiating with IBO and is supposed to represent the interests of the City and taxpayers.
But his Senate opponent is calling foul.
“I think it is a conflict — collecting funds from an interested party,” Jennifer Caputi, his Republican opponent.
When asked about the donations and the potential conflict, Patalano said, “Not accurate as we dispense discipline fair and consistent. Being a man of integrity and being a good leader and being fair and consistent is the hallmark of a good leader.”
Patalano, a top-paid city employee, has raised thousands of dollars for his campaign from city workers. None of it is illegal—a total of $3,326 from 17 city employees.
Caputi questions whether anyone can fully meet the responsibilities of both demanding roles and ethically represent the community’s interests in both positions.
“Being a Major in the Cranston Police Department is not just a title; it’s a critical leadership role responsible for the safety and well-being of our city," Caputi stated. "The job requires full focus, dedication, and around-the-clock commitment. How can Major Patalano assure the residents of Cranston that he can also dedicate himself to the equally demanding responsibilities of being a State Senator?"
Caputi expressed concern over how Patalano would effectively balance the two roles, each of which requires undivided attention. “The residents of District 26 deserve a senator who is fully committed to the challenges of our district and the state. Can Major Patalano truly serve the community in his capacity as a police leader while also serving in the Senate, where he would need to focus on legislative issues, attend sessions, and meet the needs of his constituents?” she asked.