Union president slams mayor for comments on Williams, process

NORTH PROVIDENCE - The president of the local police union is firing back this week at comments made by Mayor Charles Lombardi on how the union should be "embarrassed" to be representing Officer Daniel Williams in a bill of rights process and that the document that protects such officers should even be abolished.

Dennis Stone, president of the North Providence Fraternal Order of Police No. 13, questioned how Lombardi could criticize the union for supporting Williams when that is what its leaders are charged with doing.

"The last time I checked everyone had a constitutional right to be defended," he said. "Does that right diminish simply because he's a police officer?"

Williams hasn't been convicted of a crime or found guilty of anything yet, said Stone.

"Let us also not forget the fact that the legal system operates on the presumption of innocence," he said. "Not to mention we have a legal obligation to see he is represented."

To say that the union is supporting an "embarrassment" is "uncalled for," said Stone.

Regarding the mayor's assertion that the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights should be eliminated, that's "ridiculous," said Stone.

"I'm sure there could be some modifications made but the main reason these laws were enacted was because of political interference within police departments," he said. "Let's face it, historically police departments have been one of the most politically interfered with professions. Without protections like the LEOBOR, what stops a political figure from firing an officer for no reason other than he didn't like him or for supporting an opposing politician?"

Lombardi this week again criticized Stone and the union for defending officers like Williams through bill of rights hearings, a trial-like process in front of a panel of three. Stone will represent Williams as the officer's chosen appointee during upcoming hearings.

The mayor scoffed at Stone's comments about Williams having a legal right to be represented by the union, saying union leaders have only themselves to blame for backing a "dirty cop."

The Breeze reported last month that a Superior Court decision allowed town officials to proceed with efforts to fire Williams through the bill of rights process. According to the decision, Williams admitted to sending out pictures of himself while on duty and contacting women he met through his job, among other things. A judge ruled that though Williams' ex-wife obtained his information illegally, police officials had no part in the actions and were legally allowed to accept the information she offered.

Lombardi said in a story last week that keeping Williams on the payroll while he's been suspended for the past three years has cost the town some $400,000.

Stone said Lombardi is "painting a very slanted version of the truth" when he talks about the costs of keeping Williams on duty. The administration has "dragged its feet" on hiring and promotions, leading to more overtime costs and legal costs from not making the promotions and filling the positions.

Making former interim Chief Paul Martellini the permanent chief would in no way have gotten Williams promoted, as Lombardi claimed, said Stone.

"He is so far down that list that it's most likely the town will never even get to him before the list expires," he said.

Stone said Lombardi has basically admitted he manipulated the promotional list "for whatever reason," said Stone, a "clear violation" of the police contract that could lead to a grievance.