By Megan Khatchadourian, Assistant to the Executive Director

It’s been hard to avoid news coverage this week updating us on that outcome of the RI State Police’s review of the Cranston Police Department, a review that was born out of allegations of department misconduct resulting in a ticketing blitz in two wards that coincided with votes against a new police contract.  As an agency dedicated to transparency in government and fighting governmental misconduct, the RI ACLU has been involved from that start.

Shortly after learning of Captain Antonucci’s alleged misconduct, coupled with the Mayor’s announcement of the appointment of an outside investigator to “confirm that all facts and circumstances are examined thoroughly and professionally”, we sent a letter to Mayor Fung urging him to conduct a thorough review of the department and to make that review available to the public at large. 

Sound familiar?  Just this past week, we again sent a letter to Mayor Fung urging him to make the State Police’s review of the Cranston Police Department available to the public in its entirety. 

Cranston Police Department is no stranger to documented incidents of glaring police misconduct.  One doesn’t have to look too far beyond this ticketing scandal to the case of Michael Patino, where numerous instances in which police practices and policies were not followed with regard to the Defendant’s cellphone and evidence contained within it.  Some may be willing to look the other way in terms of the police following the rules, but indifference to one incident leads to a culture of indifference to the rules for all aspects of the job and the eventual eroding of an individuals rights when they come into contact with the police. 

Seeing the continuing pattern that was evident as news stories reported on various Cranston Police Department scandals, we again sent a letter to Mayor Fung and members of the Cranston City Council as well as the interim Police Chief, Lt. Kevin Barry urging a more thorough and robust investigation of the department and its practices. 

As you can see from this review of ACLU letters to the City of Cranston, it is not only critical that the City act with the highest amount of transparency in releasing the State Police’s final report, but that they review whatever information/recommendations are contained in that report and make appropriate changes to reassure the citizens of Cranston that they take these reports of police misconduct seriously and are serious about making it better.

Do you feel as though you’ve been a victim of police misconduct, or do you know someone who has?  Visit our “Know Your Rights” page on our website to learn what your rights are when encountering the police, and to print out our police complaint form.

Want to learn more or stay up to date as we navigate through these issues?  Be sure to visit our website www.riaclu.org often.