Providence fire captain fired, city and union dispute why

March 9, 2016 6:22 pm

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – More drama between the fire department and the city of Providence.

A three-member city trial board voted to fire Captain Dennis Tucker, per Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare’s recommendation.

Pare told ABC6 news the captain didn’t live up to his title, reasoning that Tucker shouldn’t get his pension because he didn’t serve honorably. Tucker did nothing to curb the so-called sick leave abuse after Mayor Jorge Elorza implemented the three-platoon scheduling change in August, according to Pare.

"It’s clearly dereliction of duty,” Pare said. "It costs the city lots of money when this occurs and we need our managers to manage."

The head of the local fire union, Paul Doughty, contests this. "The firing of Captain Tucker is clearly an abuse of power,” he said.

Doughty also disputes allegations of sick leave abuse within the department. He feels the reason for the firing boils down to a harsh email Tucker sent the commissioner, then later forwarded to all 400 members of the department, arguing the merits of Tucker’s own sick leave request and warning others: “[T]his is what we’re dealing with.”

"He’s risen through the ranks and one momentary lapse of judgement doesn’t warrant termination," Doughty countered.

Tucker had worked for the department for 27 years. As of March, his salary was $74,673, according to city hall. Last fiscal year, he made $37,320 in overtime, bringing his total collected wages to $117,984. In fiscal year 2014, he collected $40,396 in overtime and $120,352 in total wages.

City Council President Luis Aponte weighed in, saying: "To suggest that somehow [Tucker] would not be entitled to a pension for what seems to be a questionable charge of insubordination, to me, is extremely heavy-handed.”

The mayor echoed Pare’s response. A spokesman calling it “appropriate” for the pension board to review Tucker.

Meanwhile, the union plans to fight all of this, as arbitration proceedings continue between the city and the firefighters in a contract and scheduling dispute.