EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence Police union, the International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 569, has submitted a vote of no confidence on the status of Chief Joseph Tavares to City Manager Peter Graczykowski, the latter confirmed Thursday, July 11.
The announcement of the vote came on the heels of a report issued by the Rhode Island State Police earlier July 11. The State Police, at the behest of the East Providence Budget Commission, investigated charges made against city officials in regards to Mr. Graczykowski’s decision to place Chief Tavares on a leave of absence back in April of this year.
The State Police found no probable cause of any criminal wrong doing on the part of Mr. Graczykowski or City Councilors Chrissy Rossi and Thomas Rose for their roles in the matter. The two Council members were named specifically in the report. The State Police also found there to be no criminal misconduct on the part of members of the East Providence Police Department, a counter-charge made by Chief Tavares.
The submission, in the form of a letter, from the IBPO Local 569 came from and was signed by union president EPPD Detective Corporal Kevin Feeney.
The letter, dated June 12, 2013, read, “I am submitting this letter to inform you that a recent vote of ‘No Confidence’ was taken by the members of IBPO local 569 in the job performance of Police Chief Joseph Tavares.
“The vote consisted of a ballot style vote and over 80% of the membership participated. Of the ballots that were cast, there were zero votes of confidence in the Chiefs job performance.”