East Providence Police Chief Reinstated by Budget Commission

East Providence’s police chief, placed on administrative leave in April by the city manager, was reinstated by the Budget Commission Thursday afternoon with a clean bill of health. 

The Budget Commission also assigned a RI State Police officer to investigate alleged improprieties and irregularities in the police department that are unrelated to the police chief’s job performance.

The resolution that reinstated Police Chief Joseph Tavares reads that: “The Commission has determined, based upon the totality of facts and circumstances brought to its attention in this matter, that i) those faces and circumstances did not warrant Chief Tavares being placed on Administrative Leave; and ii) nor did those facts and circumstances warrant any disciplinary action against Chief Tavares…”

 In short, the board said he was wrongly accused.

Regarding the State Police intervention, the resolution reads: “After consultation with Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, Col. Steven O’Donnell, the Commission and Col. O’Donnell agreed that a member of the RI State Police will be assigned to the East Providence Police Department to investigate any alleged improprieties and/or irregularities; assist and support Chief Tavares with the management of the Police Department while the investigation is ongoing, and address or assist with an other issues that Chief Tavares and the State Police deem necessary.”

Steve Bannon, a State Police officer on the Budget Commission, said those “improprieties and allegations” in the police department could be “criminal in nature.” But he did not elaborate.

Chief Tavares referred all questions to his attorney, Thomas McAndrew, after he was reinstated. He will resume his duties at 7 am Friday , May 24. Acting Police Chief Christopher Parella will return to second in command at the same time.

“I am very pleased,” said McAndrew. “This is a man of honesty and integrity who holds officers to the highest standards … and continues to hold people accountable.”

He described the accusations made against Tavares as “a political agenda manufactured by a few people in and out of the department…who are still upset with his appointment” in 2009 and who “put immense pressure on a city manager without a contract” to act against the police chief.

“The city is lucky to have this man,” McAndrew said. “He’s a superstar and a first-class gentleman.” 

City Manager Peter Graczykowski said, in a brief prepared statement: “I am disappointed. There was justification for the action I took, and multiple outstanding issues still are not being addressed.”

He did not elaborate on what those issues are.

Graczykowski he could not comment on McAndrew’s accusation that his decision to put Tavares on administrative leave was part of a political agenda fueled by a few police and city officials. 

“It doesn’t exist,” he said. “How can I comment on something that doesn’t exist?”

Graczykowski also has been ordered by the Budget Commission to prepare within three weeks “written goals and objectives related to the Chief’s duties and responsibilities and a method for evaluating his job performance.” 

The city manager said the police chief’s job description already has job performance standards that will have to be enhanced.