"There are some clauses in this ordinance language that [do] not help alleviate barriers between citizens and police," the city's police union said in a statement Wednesday morning, "but rather perpetuates them.”

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The city’s police union issued a statement this morning saying it's opposed to a proposed ordinance that would regulate how police on the street deal with the public and require reporting of how they handle traffic stops and searches.

The proposed ordinance was endorsed by the City Council Ordinance Committee Monday night. It next goes to the full City Council, which would have to vote on it twice in order for it to be sent to Mayor Jorge O. Elorza for his signature.

“We, the members of the Providence Fraternal Order of Police, believe in fair and lawful treatment of the citizens of the City of Providence,” the statement read. “However, we would like to be able to perform our jobs within the confines of laws & ordinances that don’t restrict our ability to effectively interact with the good people of the City, as well as to investigate criminal activity that affects the quality of life in their neighborhoods and to continue providing professional public safety service.”

“It is our opinion that there are some clauses in this ordinance language that does not help alleviate barriers between citizens and police,” the statement said, “but rather perpetuates them.”

The statement didn’t offer specifics on what parts of the ordinance the union wanted changed.

“We have met with representatives from the City Council on two occasions, but only just met with any ordinance sponsors in a hastily scheduled meeting on Friday, April 14," the union said. "In that three-hour meeting, not all relevant points were addressed and we [were] told that all changes must be made for the Monday April 17 meeting.”

The union statement theorized that the hurried timeline was meant to benefit Ward 3 Councilman Kevin Jackson, a vocal supporter of the ordinance who is facing recall election May 2, by giving him a legislative accomplishment to burnish what the statement called his “legacy.”