NEW: Providence Police Task Force Suspended After Recent Abuse Complaints

Providence police have suspended at least some operations of its special task force following recent complaints of excessive force -- and a community leader in Providence is calling for its dismantling, following a recent incident where he said his teenage son and friend were accosted leaving work.

"My son was humiliated and degraded," said Kobi Dennis, community leader and founder of Night Vision. "The 'jump-outs' - they're not known to anyone as the 'task force' - just pulled up on them on Friday, dressed all in black, no uniforms, and went into their backpacks, swearing at them. My son's going to URI next year. They've just ruined a part of his life."

Dennis said that his son and his friend were finishing up work at McDonald's on Branch Avenue and were walking home when the incident occurred. Dennis noted that they both went in to the Police Department to file formal complaints.

"I know there's been gun violence in the area, and they're looking for guns," said Dennis of the task force. "This isn't about being black, it's about being poor. They picked the wrong kids at the wrong time."

"I called everyone that night. I got [Commissioner Steve] Pare, [Chief Hugh] Clements, and the Mayor -- everyone said they were so sorry," said Dennis, who has been active in police-community relations in the city for years. "I said if this happened to one of your kids, you'd be doing the same the same thing. [Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza] met with me over the weekend. I met with internal affairs, I said I'm taking this out, I'll be talking with everyone."

Providence Chief of Police Clements confirmed that operations on the task force have been altered in light of recent events.

"All I can say is there has been a complaint, and like every complaint we look into it. There were two complainants -- we want to go further into the investigation before putting it back in full operational mode. I can confirm they've been put into a different mode right now," said Clements on the task force on Wednesday, who said he could not identify the individuals involved. "That's what we're trying to determine...we're in a pretty good spot and we're continuing to investigate."

Questioning Tactics

Dennis said that he had often had teenagers tell him of similar encounters that they had had in the past, and that he "wish he had fought harder."

"I had to tell my Night Vision guys, 'I should have fought harder," said Dennis. "This is the last straw. My hope is they're considering disbanding the task force -- no one's like "they're doing great.' I was told by everyone -- top down - that they 'didn't know who these guys were,' like they had no control over a rogue police arm."

"My last interaction with the [task force] was at gun point two years ago, I let that go, they're just doing their job in broad daylight, but the other one I didn't let go because I was with my mom. Here I was working with police, and I was jumped," said Dennis.

"This one I'm not letting go, if I have to sue, I'll sue," said Dennis. "Right now, we're going through the process. There needs to be accountability. I know they've got to look for guns on the street, but they need to treat people with respect and dignity."

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