Policing

Officers’ Bill of Rights may prevent dangerous Pawtucket officer from being fired

The actual termination of Officer Dolan from the Department is not assured. Under LEOBoR Dolan may get to keep his job despite his risk to the public.

Rhode Island News: Officers’ Bill of Rights may prevent dangerous Pawtucket officer from being fired

February 16, 2023, 2:54 pm

By Steve Ahlquist

After Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien announced his intention to fire Pawtucket Police Officer Daniel Dolan, the BLM RI PAC issued a statement calling on state elected officials to fully repeal the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBoR). Dolan was charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, resulting in serious bodily injury; two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon; and one count of discharge of a firearm while committing a crime of violence, resulting in injury; but a jury found him innocent of all charges.

“Throughout the criminal investigation, the Pawtucket Police Department conducted a parallel, internal investigation. Lack of criminality does not mean that an officer’s conduct was appropriate or that it represented the high standards to which we hold our public safety officials,” said Pawtucket Mayor Grebien in a statement. “After consulting with the City’s outside legal counsel and complying with the process set forth by the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights, the department has determined that termination is the appropriate course of action.”

The actual termination of Officer Dolan from the Department is not assured. Under LEOBoR Dolan may get to keep his job.

“Once again, a municipal police chief and mayor is prevented from firing an officer who has grossly violated the trust and confidence of their community,” said Harrison Tuttle, President of the BLM RI PAC. “The time is now! We are urging state lawmakers to fully repeal LEOBoR in this legislative session!”

Tuttle encourages community members and leaders to closely monitor Officer Dolan’s LEOBoR process and outcome.

“It is important to remember that if George Floyd or Tyre Nichols was murdered in Rhode Island, just like Dolan, a municipal police chief would have been prevented from firing that officer outright,” said Jim Vincent, Senior Advisor to the BLM RI PAC.

Dolan’s actions have not diminished Mayor Grebiens’s support and admiration of Pawtucket Police Officers.

“I fully support our men and women in law enforcement. I am grateful for the work that the Pawtucket Police do every single day to protect the well-being of all residents and visitors in our great city,” said the Mayor. “I know, however, that they share my high standards and expectations for honorable service. One officer’s actions do not define a profession, however, what we allow, tolerate, and excuse casts a cloud over all. The City of Pawtucket and its Police Department will not allow or enable behavior that jeopardizes our ability to protect the community we serve and protect.”