“The Dancing Cop” is retiring

By Jordan Mazza

PAWTUCKET, RI (WLNE) — Tony Lepore, better known as the dancing cop, has directed traffic in his distinctive style for decades.

But now he’s officially hanging up his hat and whistle, and retiring to Florida.

“I’m going to miss the area, I’m going to miss that attention – yeah, of course I am,” Lepore said. “But you know, it’s time.”

He joined the police force after serving in Vietnam.

And after seeing some tough situations, decided to bring a little levity and try out a few moves, each one chipping away at the stiff stereotype of a police officer.

“That’s not what they expect a police officer to do,” Lepore said. “But after a while, people started liking it.”

Even after he retired full–time, the city, under Mayor Cianci, asked Lepore to return to showcase his signature moves.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would come to this,” the dancing cop said.

The road got a little rocky in 2015. The Providence police department let Lepore go after he organized a protest against a Dunkin’ Donuts employee who wrote ‘Black Lives Matter’ on an officer’s coffee cup.

“I had a little difficulty a few years ago because I stuck up for a police officer, and then they turned it into a political issue,” he said.

But that hasn’t stopped Lepore from continuing to perform in parades, schools, and nursing homes.

“I can still do parades, but they wear on you,” he said. “I don’t recover like I used to. I’m going to be 72 years old, and 72 is 72. I’m in great shape, I can run six miles tonight if I want to, but it’s different.”

Lepore says he plans to spend less time at parades in Florida, but more time at the V.A. and doing some acting.

He also says he’s not opposed to helping another officer in our area carry on the tradition.

“I’ll work with him verbally, and I’ll show him a few moves. But he’s got to have it here,” Lepore said, gesturing to his heart.

Fans still have a chance to see him perform at a few more local engagements, like the Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2019