PERA Board votes to fire Executive Director Batista

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A contentious meeting with the Providence External Review Authority ended with getting rid of their executive director.

The board members fired Jose Batista after he released a video showing Providencepolice Sgt. Joseph Hanley allegedly assaulting Rishod Gore during an arrest for disorderly conduct.

The board had voted not to release the video.

“I’m not surprised. There’s been friction between myself and the board from the very beginning. I think we had very different interpretations of what it means to do sincere, genuine, impartial, effective oversight,” Batista said.

But, some board members contended that they were not releasing the video for specific reasons, including advisement from the city and attorney general.

The board will now decide how to proceed with Batista’s termination and finding a replacement.

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2020