RI ACLU settles unlawful search lawsuit on behalf of Pawtucket firefighters

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island announced Tuesday that it had settled a lawsuit brought against Pawtucket city officials on behalf of five firefighters whose personal lockers were searched by police without their consent.

Pawtucket police obtained a search warrant for a car owned by firefighter Patrick White in September of 2023 based on allegations that White was illegally transporting firearms from the vehicle.

A search of White’s personal locker, and those of other firefighters, was also conducted with the approval of Fire Chief John Trenteseaux.

No other firefighters were alleged to be involved in the activities of which White was accused and the search warrant did not authorize a search of these lockers.

White was arrested after the search for firearms violations.

Pawtucket agreed to pay $1,000 in damages to each of the plaintiffs and $59,163 in attorney’s fees to ACLU of RI attorneys.