Police Department command staff set

Council approves Quirk's promotion to major, OKs measures tied to Patalano appointment

Daniel Kittredge
Posted 3/25/15

After a months-long process, the command staff of the Cranston Police Department is finally set.

The City Council on Monday unanimously approved the promotion of acting Maj. …

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Police Department command staff set

Council approves Quirk's promotion to major, OKs measures tied to Patalano appointment

Posted

After a months-long process, the command staff of the Cranston Police Department is finally set.

The City Council on Monday unanimously approved the promotion of acting Maj. Robert Quirk to the position on a permanent basis, and also backed a pair of items tied to acting Maj. Todd Patalano’s already-approved promotion.

“[Quirk] is very important to what I’m trying to do with this department,” Chief of Police Col. Michael Winquist told council members ahead of their vote, praising the new major’s qualifications and “calm demeanor” and saying he is “well respected by the rank and file.”

Quirk, a nearly 30-year veteran of the Cranston force, said he has spent time in virtually every aspect of the department’s operations over the course of his career – experience he believes will be a significant asset in his new role.

“If it’s there, I’ve done it,” he said. “I can bring a lot to the table.”

Quirk also said he has served under 10 different chiefs during his career in Cranston.

“It’s a new beginning with Col. Winquist … it’s time to move forward,” he said.

Others in attendance also gave Quirk glowing reviews.

Kevin Lynch, a retired Cranston police commander, called Quirk a “mentor, leader and a man of excellence.”

Ronald Gill Sr. said Quirk has been an immensely positive influence in the lives of his family members since his son, Ronald Gill Jr., lost his life in the line of duty while serving in the Coast Guard in 2007.

“Besides being an outstanding police officer, he’s an outstanding citizen,” Gill said of Quirk.

Members of the council praised the new major, and spoke of their desire to continue moving past the controversy that has surrounded the department since the emergence of the so-called “Ticketgate” flap in late 2013.

“I’m looking forward to the new management team … getting the police department stable and calm,” Ward 1 Councilman Steve Stycos said.

“I think this goes a long way … to turning the page,” Citywide Councilman Richard Santamaria said.

Citywide Councilman Michael Farina called Quirk an “exemplar,” and said his promotion will demonstrate to other officers that they can climb the chain of command through hard work.

“Thirty years should count for something,” he said.

Council President John Lanni said he considers the city “very lucky” to have Patalano and Quirk within the department’s ranks.

“I think they’re both outstanding individuals,” he said.

Ward 5 Councilman Chris Paplauskas referenced Quirk’s long record of service to the city.

“Anybody who’s been through 10 chiefs deserves a medal of valor,” he said.

Aside from Quirk’s promotion, the council on Monday approved a pair of items related to Patalano’s ascension to major – an ordinance ratifying a memorandum of understanding between the city and International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 301, and an associated ordinance amending the composition of the police department as outlined in city code.

Patalano has served major on an acting basis since November – as has Quirk after Capt. Sean Carmody declined a nomination for the second major’s post – and in January, the council approved his promotion.

In December, however, the council had rejected employment terms negotiated between Patalano and the administration of Mayor Allan Fung. At issue were the proposed compensation involved, the tying of benefits to the police union contract and a provision that would return Patalano to the rank of “captain first class” were circumstances to change.

Patalano throughout the process maintained job security was his most important concern, given that the move to major would mean giving up his union membership. He remains several years away from guaranteeing a full pension. He had also said he would decline the promotion to major if the terms ultimately proved unsatisfactory.

The negotiation of a revised agreement that paved the way for council approval emerged in February. Patalano’s swearing-in to the major’s post had been delayed pending council approval of the related measures.

The ordinances approved Monday establish the position of “captain first class,” but tie it specifically to Patalano. It will remain vacant unless the major’s position is de-funded or abolished at any point, or if Patalano loses his post for any reason aside from misconduct. The “captain first class” position will be eliminated when Patalano leaves the department.

The council approved both ordinances on an 8-1 vote, with Ward 2 Councilman Don Botts the sole dissenter. While he praised Patalano – “I think you’re going to be a great major” – the councilman voiced concern over whether the agreement could adversely affect the city in future situations.

“I feel like this is setting a precedent,” he said.

Stycos said he shared some of Botts’ concerns, but would support the ordinance because of his wish to see the department’s command staff finalized. He called it an “imperfect agreement” that addresses a “big mess” in the department, which he attributed to its former leadership and the mayor.

“We’ve got to get over this, and we’ve got to get the police department set,” he said.

Ward 3 Councilman Paul Archetto said he views the establishment of the “captain first class” rank as a “safeguard” for Patalano. He also criticized the mayor, and said the council is working “to fix a wrong.”

Asked by Botts whether he believed the agreement with Patalano could provide an opening for other employees to seek favorable or special terms from the city going forward, Deputy City Solicitor Evan Kirshenbaum said he did not believe that would be the case. He cited the “sunset” provision contained in the ordinance, and its explicit focus on Patalano.

He drew laughter from those present when he added: “I think if you stay around here long enough, you’ll see someone try everything.”

Patalano and Quirk will both receive salaries of approximately $96,000, and contribute 25 percent of their health insurance costs. Quirk is in the city’s retirement system, while Patalano is under the state system.

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