Prov. sergeant suspended with pay

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – A Providence police sergeant has been suspended with pay pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations that he fell asleep on a detail and got into an altercation with a state worker, the Target 12 Investigators have learned.

Deputy Police Chief Thomas Oates confirmed there was an internal affairs investigation into a sergeant, but declined to name the officer and the nature of the allegations citing the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights law.

Reached by phone, Sergeant Richard Fernandes confirmed for Target 12 that he was suspended with pay on Friday after he reported for roll call. He said they did not inform him of the charges levied against him but was aware the department was looking into an alleged incident that occurred in June.

“There was an accusation that I wrestled a camera from the DOT worker, that he snapped a photo of me sleeping,” Fernandes said.  “That simply never happened.”

Fernandes said he was shocked when he was told he was suspended.

“I have a perfect record with the department,” Fernandes said. “I’ve never been suspended on this job, I have an unblemished record.”

He said he was questioned by Major Thomas Verdi, head of the patrol division, several weeks ago and submitted a letter to the department about the accusation, but then he didn’t hear anything else about it.

Fernandes said he would be willing to open up his personnel file if the department allowed it.

Oates said state law bars them from releasing any information unless a criminal charge is filed.

He did confirm the Attorney General’s office is aware of the investigation.

A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation said they have not been contacted yet by the Providence police.

"If they do, we will certainly cooperate," said Dana Alexander Nolfe.

Payroll records show Fernandes made more than $110,000 in 2010 including overtime and detail work.

Tim White ( twhite@wpri.com ) is the Target 12 investigative reporter for WPRI 12 and Fox Providence. Follow him on Twitter: @white_tim