Providence Police Report Says Officers “Delivered Blows” to Handcuff the Suspect - Video Shows After, Mayor Says City Will Investigate

Providence Police Report Says Officers “Delivered Blows” to Handcuff the Suspect - Video Shows After, Mayor Says City Will Investigate

Providence Police say that a “violent” suspect was “delivered blows” by police in order to arrest and handcuff him. But the video published earlier Saturday shows a suspect being repeatedly punched by a Providence Police officer after he was handcuffed.

Now, GoLocal has obtained the police report of the incident in the Elmhurst section of the city on April 24, in which William Mitchell was arrested for disorderly conduct and assaulting officers, after police say that he called officers “fags” and spit on them. 

The report alleges that Mitchell resisted arrest and that physical force - “delivering blows” - was necessary to subdue and handcuff him. 

The video shows him being punched by officers after being handcuffed.

 

Mayor Smiley

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GoLocal reached out to Providence Mayor Brett Smiley's office on Saturday about the incident.

"Mayor Smiley expects the Providence Police to conduct themselves at the highest professional standards. While a formal complaint has not been officially filed yet, the Smiley Administration takes these incidents seriously and expects a thorough investigation to occur," said Smiley's spokesperson, Josh Estrella.


Police Report Version of Incident

The video of Mitchell's arrest shows only the portion of an incident that occurred before 9 PM on Friday, April 24; it does not contain sound. 

What it does show, however, are officers actively trying to block bystanders from filming, as Mitchell lies on the ground surrounded by police. 

According to the police report, officers had responded to Pembroke Avenue for a call of a person with a knife; when they arrived, police said they encountered “approximately ten subjects” in the middle of the street in front of the address. 

Police say they initially detained Mitchell and let him go before the videotaped incident occurred. 

“We then observed a male subject later identified as William Mitchell (DOB: 96) walking away in what appeared to be distancing himself from the scene by walking in between two Providence College student houses (Pembroke Ave)…officers stopped Michell, frisked him for any weapons to no avail and detained him pending the investigation. During the encounter, Mitchell would continually touch multiple officers including walking back and forth along with talking over officers,” according to the report filed by Providence Patrolman Louis Prete. 

“He was warned several times to stop this behavior or else he would be placed into a police vehicle. Mitchell did not comply and at that time, he was placed into handcuffs and secured into the rear of a marked police cruiser pending the investigation," Prete continued. Upon the completion of the investigation, due to all parties on scene not being cooperative, it was determined that Mitchell would not be charged with a crime and who was now calm being able to have a conversation with officers.”

After he was released, Prete states that Mitchell “taunted officers by saying ‘’faggots’ including other derogatory remarks’ and that “due to this behavior, this was now inciting a crowd to form across the street who were now gathering to watch, including students crowding on the surrounding porches who were yelling back towards him.”

“That is when Car 271, Ptlm. David Palumbo utilized his marked police vehicle and pulled into the driveway of 64 Eaton St. where Mitchell was standing. Ptlm. Palumbo then approached Mitchell advising he would be under arrest. Ptlm. Pereria and myself approached from behind grabbing ahold of his wrists advising him that he was under arrest,” said Prete. 


Arrest Allegations

In their version of the incident, police say that “blows were delivered” prior to Mitchell’s handcuffing - not after as seen in the video. 

“Mitchell immediately tensed his arms refusing to let officers successfully place him into handcuffs. That is when I provided loud verbal commands for him to place his hands behind his back but Mitchell continued to ignore my commands by yelling over us. While Ptlm. Pereria and I were holding his arms, Ptlm. Palumbo conducted a double leg takedown on Mitchell that successfully took him to the ground. Upon being brought to the ground, Mitchell immediately attempted to regain control by trying to stand up. That is when multiple officers arrived on scene to assist. While on the ground, I continued to provide loud verbal commands for Mitchell to stop resisting and to place his hands behind his back to which he continued to refuse to comply which Mitchell then kicked Ptlm. Palumbo in the face specifically in the chin area, including spitting in the direction of Ptlm. Ayala,” according to Prete, 

He says at this time, physical force was used to handcuff him. 

“Due to his violent behavior, that is when Ptlm. Ayala delivered several closed fist strikes to his face/torso area in attempt to stun him in order place him into custody. As officers were able to place Mitchell into a prone position, he then pinned his right arm under his chest refusing to let officers including myself to gain control. I then provided loud verbal commands for Mitchell to stop tensing his arm and to stop resisting to which he again refused. That is when I delivered several closed fist strikes to the right side of his body specially the kidney area, providing an additional command to stop tensing his arm to which he then finally complied and was now placed into handcuffs with the assistance of Ptlm. Labutti," Prete continued.

Once Mitchell was in handcuffs however, the report describes the conduct of the officer as “placing an arm on [the] neck” of Mitchell in "order to move his head away."

“As officers were standing Mitchell up to escort him to the police cruiser, Mitchell turned and spit in the face of Ptlm. Nazario, as a result, Ptlm. Nazario placed his arm in the area of his neck and upper shoulder in attempt to maneuver his head away,” Prete continues.

The report goes on to continue that Mitchell spat at officers - and was placed in a padded cell. 

“As I grabbed ahold of his upper arm to escort him, Mitchell followed by turning into my direction now spitting directly in my face. Mitchell was then escorted into the rear of a marked police cruiser and transported to Central Station who was still continuously spitting. While in the Male Processing Center of the cell block, a spit mask had to be placed on him to prevent any further spitting at officers due to his aggressive behavior,” said Prete. “Mitchell was also escorted by five officers to the padded cell.”

Mitchell is now facing charges of disorderly conduct, assaulting officers, and resisting arrest. 

THIS STORY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED AT 7:30 PM on May 9, 2026