Under fire from union, Cranston police chief to retire
5:58 PM Thu, May 21, 2009 | Permalink
Email
 |
 |
Projo 7 to 7 News BlogTaking the news pulse of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, by Providence Journal and projo.com staff, from 7 to 7, every business day |
|
Get the 7 to 7 on your mobile at www.projo.com. Twitter: projo | RSS | Email alerts
« R.I. Rep. Driver asks Bush to experience waterboarding |
Main
| Providence to license bouncers, hike public-drinking fines »
CRANSTON, R.I. -- Police Chief Stephen McGrath, hit this month with a no-confidence vote, is planning to retire. McGrath, 48, has filed the appropriate paperwork and his request for a pension is on Tuesday's City Council agenda. His last day on the job will be Friday, said Robin Muksian-Schutt, director of administration for Mayor Allan W. Fung. McGrath, who has been chief for 4 years in his 24 years with the Cranston Police Department, could not be reached for comment Thursday evening. He served in many capacities over the years, heading special investigations, the patrol division and the detective division at various times, and he also worked in internal affairs. Muksian-Schutt said McGrath's paperwork reached the mayor's office Thursday afternoon, while Fung was meeting with union leaders to discuss a 104-to-23 vote in which most officers indicated that they did not have confidence in McGrath's leadership. Union President Stephen J. Antonucci said in a recent interview that officers were concerned about communication, officer safety, promotions, labor practices and staffing priorities. Muksian-Schutt said Fung planned to name an interim chief Friday or Saturday and was reviewing his options for filling the post on a permanent basis.
CommentsLeave a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
Tags 
New comments
New photos
New posts
Projo blogs
Archives
Retire at 48 - nice. That means that taxpayers of Cranston will be supporting him for maybe another 50 years...............
Report Abuse
Geez, everyday you read about one union or another crying about something, I could just imagine what its like to be working around such negative people, unpleasant I'm sure.
Report Abuse
I can't imagine how people in RI have become such hate mongers towards unions. Don't worry Dave, most cops don't live beyond 10years after retirement.
Report Abuse
This just proves who runs the government.
Report Abuse
These "Unions" are a bunch of overpaid crybabies. I mean every time something happens at their job, they cry, the threaten us with "its a public safety issue", it's just lame and old. Why doesn't the Journal do an investigative story into how many Union members from Cranston PD had fundraisers for Mayor Fung to get elected or contributed to his campaign. There’s your story, the Mayor sold his soul to the Devil in order to get into office. Think about it, when has a Union ever elected or worked with a Republican of any kind. This is a scam and Mayor Fung, you can play stupid all you want but everyone knows you’re spineless and you just created a bigger monster. The Union wanted control back of the Police Dept because they feel they should be running it and now you will have one big mess....Good Job Mayor and Antonucci, you're a thug.. The Taxpayers of Cranston are either rich or stupid to put up with this.
Report Abuse
I had the pleasure of working with Chief McGrath on several different investigations in the past during my career with another neighboring agency. Chief McGrath was very professional and represented his agency in a positive manner at all times. Enjoy your well earned retirement Steve!
Report Abuse
If he's smart, he will sell his home and take his pension south. If he passes through NC he is welcme to stop by and I'll have an ice cold beer waiting to greet him as another escapee from RI!
Report Abuse
What more proof do we need that the Police Union is now running our city. I thought we elected a Mayor not a Union President.
Report Abuse
Colonel,
You've done a damn good job and have earned a retirment of your choosing, be well.
Report Abuse
Good job chief. You must have done a good job because thats why they wanted you out!
Report Abuse
Mayor Fung you should be ashamed of yourself!!! to the Cranston Police Union, stop crying, do your jobs and stop harassing people!! You make enough money to just shut up. None of your are eating dog food, you have new cars, nice uniforms, you get paid ridiculous amounts to stand behind an orange cone. Stop strangling us, you have overstayed your welcome and Mayor Fung, trust me, your welcome will be worn out as soon as you try and cut their budget, or ask for REAL consessions, they will turn on you. Cranston taxpayers should revolt. It's insulting at best. Good Luck Chief, you must have been doing something right.
Report Abuse
Steve, enjoy your well-earned retirement. I look forward to seeing you down the baseball fields. You did the right thing by turning the asylum over to the inmates (union)
Mayor Fung..............not only did you lose a police chief today, you lost my vote! This will sum up your tenure as mayor of this city...........one & done
Report Abuse
You people must have different reading material than I have. Nowhere in any article I saw did it say the the Mayor fired the police chief. In fact I haven't seen anything to indicate they ever had a meeting. The format would be for the Mayor to meet with the union to find out what their complaints were and then address them with the chief to get his side. According to PROJO while the mayor was meeting with the union the chief put his retirement papers in, saying he was leaving. So he never met with the Mayor, and the Mayor didn't dismiss him. Why the furor toward the Mayor?
Report Abuse
The Mayor appoints the Police Chief, the Mayor can tell the police chief what to do with his department. The Chief resign because he wanted a little dignity in this circus side show. The Mayor was meeting with the Union as all smoke and mirrors, they had this planned during his campaign. Trust me, as an insider and if the Journal ever decides to print the real story, you will see that it's just another example in this state of how the unions want to control and run everything. The Mayor was going to fire the chief. Here's a question, why didn't he appoint the #2 guy instead for acting chief? I will tell you. because he will be next watch. They want him out to. The mayor is trying to play both sides of the game, passive aggressive. Watch how this plays out and lets see if the journal does a real investigative story, or better yet, do a story on what is really in the police and fire contracts in the City of Cranston.
Report Abuse
A police chief who didn't have the confidence of it's union sounds like a win for the public sector and another loss for the taxpayer. The Mayor hasn't shown any leadership and the city council is even worse. Hold onto your wallets & get out while you can
Report Abuse
I think it was the right thing todo! To the Chief, congratulations, your time had come; to the Acting Chief, congratulations, you are there for a reason. I just hope our mayor and council can pick the best candidate, not the candidate who meets the certain political criteria. It is time to clean up this police department, our civil servants deserve it and our tax payers deserve it.
Report Abuse