Fung’s ‘Ability to Serve’ Called into Question by Cranston Councilman

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

GoLocalProv News Team

Following the release of a letter from the Rhode Island State Police outlining the findings of their months-long investigation into the Cranston Police Department after a police ticketing scandal, City Council member Paul Archetto said he is "questioning Mayor Fung's ability to serve."

"It was sent to me via email and will be discussed at the Council meeting [Monday night]," said Archetto of the four page letter. "According to the allegations, from what I read, the State Police alleged blatant mismanagement of the police department by the Mayor's office.  The State Police alleged Mayoral interference, obstructing certain aspects of the investigation and issues pertaining to the department, and that concerns me."

The investigation into the Police Department was called for by Fung in January of 2014, following an incident which saw Council members Archetto and Steven Stycos' districts mass ticketed by Cranston Police following a vote on a police labor contract. 

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"First of all, because of the Mayor's interference and procrastination, it's taken over 18 months to get to this point, and still we have much more questions than answers, and I need to know why things were done the way they were," said Archetto. "With this level of mismanagement, I'm wondering about the Mayor and his capacity to serve as Mayor."

"The State Police were here for 9 months.  That's state taxpayer money, and they have the right to know, it was their dollars," continued Archetto. "What is the mayor hiding? He won't even release the report to the council, all we have is a four page summary."

Questioning Leadership

Achetto said that he will be asking questions along with Council members at the meeting Monday. 

"Right now all we have are general statements, we need more specifics," said Archetto of the letter.  "I'm hearing certain people who were promoted who weren't worthy, people were demoted because they spoke out, I'm hearing a lot of things, I need to ask the questions."

"Fung's the city's chief safety officer -- he's above the Chief of Police," continued Archetto.  "We know the chief ended up leaving, the two majors left -- there's a void of leadership. Fortunately we have a good chief now, with the State Police coming in."

Achetto said that he questioned Fung's calling the Cranston Police to follow-up with a press inquiry after a listening session for a new Providence stadium by the Pawtucket Red Sox at the Cranston Library, where police detail, hired by the PawSox, was present.  

"I served in the General Assembly, I'm in my 7th year on council,  I've gotten calls well into 11 [PM], midnight,  1 [AM] during ticketgate," said Archetto.  "I'm used to it."

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