Police Union President: Layoffs Will Make City Less Safe
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The head of the Providence police union is contesting the claim by city officials that it could lay off 60 to 80 officers without substantially impacting public safety.
“It’s definitely going to have an effect on service,” said Taft Manzotti, President of the Providence Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge No. 3. “It’s going to affect the safety of residents and it’s going to affect the officers responding to calls.”
The department is already understaffed, with about 468 sworn officers and 26 unfilled positions, according to Joe Rodio, attorney for the union. Within the department, the detective division is down from 50 regular detectives to 23 and police are also short four crime scene detectives, according to Manzotti.
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The Police Department handles about 150,000 to 200,000 calls a year and makes about 7,000 to 10,000 arrests, Manzotti said.
City officials yesterday insisted they would be able to reduce the size of the police force with minimal effect on safety.
“I have instructed Police Department leadership to make necessary adjustments to patrols and assignments to ensure that the number of officers patrolling the streets of Providence remains as consistent as possible under these circumstances. Keeping Providence safe for residents and visitors remains a top priority for the administration, and we will manage this difficult transition carefully, with all energies focused on maintaining the highest standards of public safety in Providence,” said Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare.
Police layoffs across the country
City officials also noted that other cities are grappling with the same challenges. Yesterday, Police Chief Dean Esserman said he is in touch with his counterparts in those other cities on a near daily basis.
Below is a list of some of those cities, listed with the numbers of officers who have been laid off.
San Jose, CA - 106 positions eliminated
Houston, Texas - 181 positions eliminated
Cleveland, OH - 150 positions eliminated
Camden, NJ - 163 positions eliminated
Patterson, NJ - 125 positions eliminated
Cincinnati, OH - 144 positions eliminated
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