Mayor, acting chief at odds with union over what qualifies for $400 clothing allowance annually given to officers

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Acting Police Chief Christopher Pelagio said he knew something was up when one of his police officers ordered a size small T-shirt with his annual clothing voucher.

“This particular officer wasn’t fitting into a small anything,” Pelagio said.

He ran the item’s SKU number and found that, in addition to an extra-large orange skull T-shirt, Officer Paul Swinson, hired in 1999, had purchased a gray Wounded Warrior shirt in a size small.

“For someone to have the audacity ... to utilize taxpayers dollars for a gift for a wife or girlfriend,” Pelagio said. “That’s a stretch. We are going to bring it back into alignment.”

After noting some strange items purchased on the 2015 vouchers, Pelagio said he’s examining each 2016 order. But, union board members feel this is less about sticking to the rules and more about Pelagio withholding equipment from officers who have spoken out against him.

Each year officers in the North Providence Police Department are given $1,150 for “clothing maintenance,” paid out in two installments, according to the union’s collective-bargaining agreement. This covers repairs to ripped clothing, dry cleaning, shoe shining and similar upkeep, said Sgt. Thomas Jones, the union secretary.

This money is added to officers’ paychecks every July and December. They do not have to disclose how they spend the money.

On top of that, each officer receives a $400 clothing uniform voucher to be used for “purchase of clothing and work-related equipment” at a police retailer like Galls or Rhode Island Uniform and Supply, Pelagio said.

The voucher purchases, which need approval from the chief, should be used as a “fail safe” in case the maintenance money doesn’t last, Pelagio said. It’s intended for uniform purchases, like new shirts, duty belts, jackets, hats and boots.

But in 2015 the vouchers covered, among other things: steel-reinforced assault gloves, a rifle case, G-Shock watches, Oakley sunglasses, gym shorts, a rifle sling, spandex biking pants, hiking shoes, Nike Air Max running sneakers, pink capri pants, a Smith & Wesson knife, duffel bags, and a $200 pair of binoculars, according to the purchase orders.

Mayor Charles Lombardi said the spending on these “unnecessary items” is “out of control.”

Union President Dennis Stone disagrees. The contract identifies “clothing,” but does not specify what type, he argued.

“Years ago, we used to have an actual list, but it was so restrictive,” he said. “So we changed it. You need to buy things that you need to do your job.”

The Oakley sunglasses are necessary to protect “sensitive eyes” from years of working outside, Jones said. Officers need workout clothing, and duffel bags to carry them in, so they can stay fit, Stone said.

The binoculars are being used to stake out potential drug-dealing locations, Jones said.

“It’s not like the guy bought a freaking telescope and is looking at the stars,” Jones added.

But the pink capri pants? The union officials agree with Pelagio on that one.

Officer Zachary Burns, hired in 2011, had to reimburse the town $88 after he ordered two Nike women’s tank tops, and a pair of pink capri pants for his wife.

“You’re on your own on that one,” Stone said.

Jones added: “He just figured why not ... he tried.”

The union has filed two grievances against the town for denying clothing vouchers in 2016 — one on behalf of Jones, and the other for Patrolman Raymond Nardolillo, both union board members.

Jones said he ordered a few exercise shirts to use at the police training academy, but his request was denied a day after he testified against the chief in Stone’s Law Enforcement Officers' Bill Of Rights hearing.

Nardolillo requested Oakley sunglasses and assault gloves. Both were denied, Stone said.

The grievances are pending arbitration.

Lombardi, who is also the public safety director, says the vouchers are about “keeping your shoes shined.”

“These fellas need to be neat and sharp when they’re walking down the street,” he said. “That’s what the money is for.”

He added: “I really don’t care what they look like at the gym.”

Items bought with town voucher for clothing and work-related equipment:

Three G-shock watches (for one officer): $273

18 pairs of mesh shorts (for one officer): $216

Hammacher Schlemmer binoculars: $199.95

Oakley black matte sunglasses: $125

Nylon stretch bike pants: $104.99

"Nike Free Trainer" black running shoes: $99

Tactical rifle case*: $92

Nike dri-fit hoodie: $70

Under Armour duffel bag: $45

Blackhawk sling adapter* (fits AR/M4/M16): $33

*The department does not have a rifle program.

jtempera@providencejournal.com

401-277-7121

On Twitter: @jacktemp