The case for Capt. Patalano

Posted 2/12/15

To the Editor:

I prefer to keep Todd Patalano’s rank as captain for this article, since I believe that unless he is willing to back way off of his demands, he will remain a captain, at …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

The case for Capt. Patalano

Posted

To the Editor:

I prefer to keep Todd Patalano’s rank as captain for this article, since I believe that unless he is willing to back way off of his demands, he will remain a captain, at least for the unforeseen future.

I knew him only by name as he was brought up every once in a while as to his paid leave. Council President John Lanni would occasionally ask where his case stood. The reply from the mayor’s office was really a no reply, when he questioned how long was the city willing to pay almost $100,000 per annum in addition for overtime to cover his position!

This went on for almost two years.

Now with the advent of the new Chief Winquist and his willingness to promote Patalano to a major, with the approval of Mayor Fung, even though he has a suit against the city in the federal court! How could this be?

The new chief stated publicly that he could “keep a wall” between the two! Ask yourself how that would work in favor of the city and everyone involved in this suit? A little history here: Patalano was put on administrative leave by the mayor on the advice of former Chief Palombo, who was favoring Capt. Antonucci who was to be the head of the union. They trumped up seven or more charges against Patalano, all of which were dismissed by Capt. Barry of the state police, who was given the responsibility to run the department and make a full report on “Ticketgate” and the overall condition of the Police Department. With this in mind and with the suit going forward, with Palombo, Fung, Antonucci, Barry, Winquist, lawyers, members of the council, etc., being called to testify, is Winquist trying to make us believe that that wouldn’t ruin any new order that he may have brought to the department, disrupt the city and add tens of thousands, or millions more cost to the taxpayers of Cranston?

Would he really expect us to believe such a farfetched story? I have to ask another quotation, how much faith and trust does that leave us with, when considering the current performance of our new chief?

I have had the pleasure of talking briefly with Patalano one on one, and I am convinced that he means what he says and says what he means. He is a very sincere and determined man, who loves police work, but he still has a long way to go for retirement (he is only 42), and in the meantime he must protect his loving family. That is enough for me, particularly when you listen to all of the endorsements from fellow officers, friends, politicians, and those that work with him in helping children. I am also convinced that he is what I call a cop’s cop: knowledgeable, demonstrated leadership, tough and fair, always aware of who he serves, all of the citizens of Cranston.

Therefore when he has told me, as he has been quoted in the paper that, “thank you, however, I am prepared to decline the position [of major] if I cannot get an acceptable agreement,” I am sure he is willing to negotiate on certain conditions of his appointment, but not on his pension. Remember he has 13 years to go to be eligible for a state pension and if he is recklessly charged as his recent history shows and possible being “thrown off” the force, without just cause, then where does that leave his family?

Based on all of the above I must come down on the side of the captain’s current position. On a personal note, this would be my position, as in my career I was in a similar position, and I stuck to my guns, and I prevailed!

I have been promised by Lanni that he will stay very much involved and will do everything in his power to make sure that the council plays their must role in this “tinder box” situation. He has further assured me that he understands the personal nature of this problem and the very important potential of a horrendous cost to the taxpayers of Cranston.

All citizens of Cranston, we owe it to our well being to not let this go the way of all politics, with no one being held accountable! Let’s all stay tuned.

Note: Since this was written, it has come to light that the City Council held an executive session meeting to discuss this case, among other items connected to the police fiasco, but as of yet nothing has been made public.

Richard Tomlins

Cranston

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here