Dean Esserman and GoLocalProv – A Timeline
Thursday, June 23, 2011
GoLocalProv has closely covered Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman over the course of the past year since its launch. We have traced his involvement in a number of questions about spending in the department to a string of scandals and controversies, culminating in the underage drinking party at his house—a story that GoLocalProv broke. Esserman yesterday said the controversy surrounding the story became such a distraction that he felt he needed to resign.
■ June 9, 2010—Police Chief: Providence Was Doing Well, Then Recession Hit
Crime in Providence was heading down, but then the economy soured and the city hit a bump in the road, according to Col. Dean Esserman, the Police Chief. In 2002, there were 14,039 incidents. That fell to 9,821 by 2007, thanks in large part to a community approach to policing that Esserman said he instituted when he arrived as police chief. But then in 2008, crime went back up to 10,424, according to department data Esserman provided to GoLocalProv.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST■ August 6, 2010—Candidates Say They Would Fire Esserman
Four Democratic candidates for Mayor of Providence debated how best to reform a vastly underfunded pension system, close an estimated $50 million deficit in the city budget, and deal with police Chief Dean Esserman in a debate hosted last night by the Fraternal Order of Police in Providence and moderated by 630 WPRO talk show host Dan Yorke.
Two of the candidates—John Lombardi and Chris Young—said they would fire Esserman if elected mayor. The other two—Steven Costantino and Angel Taveras—said they would first review his performance before making a decision about his future with the city.
■ September 27, 2010—Providence Chief Sued Over ‘Illegal Suspension’ of Officer
Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman is being accused of skirting state law by suspending an officer for more than two days in a row without first giving him a hearing on the charges, according to a lawsuit filed in Providence County Superior Court on Friday
■ October 18, 2010—Extra Vacation Time Costs Providence Nearly $500,000
A GoLocalProv investigation has found that Mayor David Cicilline has been handing out extra vacation time to his senior staff—in excess of what is allowed by ordinance, costing nearly $500,000.
“It’s the constant battle of this administration trying to get one over on the people of Providence,” said John Igliozzi, chairman of the city council finance committee. “The idea is to get away with as much as you possibly can without getting caught.” The person with the most time is Col. Dean Esserman, the chief of police. He has racked up 24 extra weeks so far and is due for six more extra weeks in January. The total cost? $90,457.50.
■ February 7, 2011—Is Time Running out for Esserman?
Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman is on the outs with Mayor Angel Taveras after an incident over the weekend. Is the “best police chief in America” about to be unemployed?
Last Friday, Esserman got into a verbal altercation with a subordinate officer in Bristol. Esserman has issued a statement apologizing for the incident.
■ February 8, 2011—Police Union Condemns Esserman
The Providence police union issued a statement this afternoon reaffirming its 2009 no-confidence vote against Police Chief Dean Esserman, after he was suspended today for shouting at a subordinate officer over the weekend. Council President Michael Solomon also issued a statement on the incident.
■ February 8, 2011—EXCLUSIVE: New Accusations of Misbehavior Against Esserman
Pressure is mounting for Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman to leave amid accusations of previous misconduct.
■ February 24, 2011—Outrage over ‘Second Pension’ for Esserman
Members of the city retirement board were outraged to learn yesterday that Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman is due to receive two retirement benefits—a regular city pension plus a private retirement account in which the city has invested more than $100,000.
■ March 15, 2011—NEW: Esserman Gets National Recognition for Community Policing
Due to his innovative work in the field of community policing, Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman has been selected for a national post, Mayor Angel Taveras announced yesterday.
■ March 29, 2011—Providence-Top 25 Highest Paid City Workers
The City of Providence spent $3.5 million on the salaries and other compensation for the top 25 highest paid city workers in 2010, according to data provided to GoLocalProv in response to an open records request. The highest paid city worker was Police Chief Dean Esserman, who earned $194,715.
■ April 12, 2011—Taveras Keeps Esserman
Police Chief Dean Esserman is staying on under Mayor Angel Taveras. The announcement was made Tuesday at a City Hall press conference where Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare unveiled his findings after a four-month review of the Police Department. Pare praised Esserman for reforming a department that had been plagued with politics, implementing community policing, and bringing $25 million in federal funds to the city.
■ April 18, 2011—Is Esserman Worth Over $200,000 a Year?
Providence Police Chief Col. Dean Esserman no longer has a contract with the city, but he has retained the majority of perks that came with his original agreement, GoLocalProv has learned.
■ May 27, 2011—Providence City Councilman Calls for Chief of Police to Go Before Layoffs
At least one Providence City Councilman is calling for Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare to eliminate the position of Chief of Police before limiting the police force.
■ June 9, 2011—BREAKING NEWS: Councilman Demands Esserman Resign—Again
The layoff of 78 police officers by the Taveras administration has led Councilman Michael Correia to call for the resignation of Providence Police Chief Colonel Dean Esserman.
■ June 11, 2011—Exclusive: Underage Drinkers at Chief Esserman’s Home
Providence Police Chief Col. Dean Esserman stood on his front lawn and watched underage drinkers—carrying beer cans and cases of beer—leave his East Side home late Friday evening following a graduation party.
Over the course of two hours, GoLocalProv viewed dozens of young people partying on Esserman’s property (which was decorated with balloons on the front lawn) and on the street near the home—a possible violation of state’s “social host” law.
■ June 11, 2011—BREAKING: Esserman Responds
In a statement provided to GoLocalProv.com by Dean Esserman, the Chief said:
"My family hosted a BBQ for my daughter's High School Graduation last night with family and friends. After dinner, the graduates stayed on for their own party in our backyard with our permission. I supervised the party with my adult son. The party began to grow quickly with many unexpected and uninvited guests showing up. I discovered that some underaged guests were consuming alcohol without my knowledge or consent. Upon discovering this, I started asking people to leave and turned those away arriving at the door. I stopped the party and sent people home. Dispersing the party, I checked that no drivers were under the influence."
■ June 13, 2011—POLL: Your Turn: Should Esserman Step Down?
340 vote - Yes, there is too much controversy
206 vote - No, he helped to stabilize the Police Department
■ June 13, 2011—BREAKING NEWS: City ‘Evaluating’ Weekend Incident at Esserman Home
Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare says he is evaluating a weekend incident that included underage drinking at Police Chief Dean Esserman’s East Side home.
“I’ve spoken with Chief Esserman about the incident at his home on Friday night. I am evaluating the situation to determine if any further action is required. It would be inappropriate to comment further until I have completed this evaluation,” Pare said.
■ June 15, 2011—Esserman Is No Longer Viable in Providence
When it rains it pours. For embattled Providence Chief of Police Dean Esserman, it was not a good weekend. GoLocal reported underage drinking at the chief’s house over the weekend. If the alleged underage drinking occurred under the chief’s watch, one could argue that he violated social host laws.
■ June 17, 2011—GoLocalProv Exclusive: 'Cops won’t bother us so we don’t need to worry about that'
The graduation party at Providence Police Chief Col. Dean Esserman’s East Side home that included underage drinking was promoted on Facebook as a celebration that would not be interrupted by police, GoLocalProv has exclusively learned.
In a Facebook message sent two days before the party, Esserman’s daughter told other high school students on the invite list to bring their own drinks and marijuana, and promised drinking games that would be taking place both inside and outside the house.
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Related Articles
- EXCLUSIVE: New Accusations of Misbehavior Against Esserman
- NEW: Esserman Gets National Recognition for Community Policing
- Esserman Controversy - Providence Residents Speak Out
- Outrage over ‘Second Pension’ for Esserman
- A LIVELY EXPERIMENT June 16, 2011 Part 6: Esserman Reaction
- Esserman Fallout: Providence Council Reacts
- UPDATED: Police Union Condemns Esserman
- BREAKING NEWS: City ‘Evaluating’ Weekend Incident at Esserman Home
- Esserman Is No Longer Viable in Providence
- UPDATED: Taveras Keeps Esserman
- BREAKING NEWS: Councilman Demands Esserman Resign—Again
- Exclusive: Underage Drinkers at Chief Esserman’s Home
- Your Turn: Should Esserman Step Down?
- BREAKING NEWS: Esserman Resigns
- Is Esserman Worth Over $200,000 a Year?
- BREAKING: Esserman Responds
- Is Time Running out for Esserman?
- Cianci, Cicilline, Esserman Pensions Targeted
- NEW: Commissioner Pare Releases Statement on Esserman
