NBC 10 I-Team: Behind-the-scenes controversy preceded departure of a top cop in Providence
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — The NBC 10 I-Team has learned that the former second in command at the Providence Police Department was facing the likelihood of an internal investigation when he recently retired.
Though it didn't get to the point of a formal complaint, the I-Team has learned through sources that Deputy Chief Thomas Verdi retired amid an accusation that he covered for the mistakes of a rookie officer he had taken under his wing years earlier.
Questions were also raised about how that rookie ended up on patrol over the concerns of other police brass.
Rookie officer Rommy Morel was fired by the Providence Police Department in early October 2022.
Reports obtained by NBC 10 through a public records request show Morel had twice been reprimanded for not properly investigating calls he responded to, and once for allowing a relative to hold his police Taser, which then accidentally fired.
Morel was then fired after a female detainee he was supposed to be watching escaped from the hospital.
The I-Team has learned through source information that Verdi retired after his superiors had questioned what he knew about Morel's mistakes.
Verdi had been a mentor to Morel since he was 13 years old.
Verdi had talked about it at events and with news outlets, including when Morel graduated from the police academy in 2021.
According to the official statement from Providence police in November 2022, Verdi retired after 35 years on the force.
Sources tell the I-Team that Verdi faced allegations he wasn't forthcoming and truthful concerning the Taser incident, about what he knew and when he knew it, and that he would likely have faced an internal investigation and the potential of departmental discipline had he stayed.
Through a public records request, the I-Team also obtained a letter written shortly after Morel's firing by the training supervisor for Morel's recruit class.
Lt. Matthew Jennette wrote that most of those new officers were approved to be on the street in January.
But, he wrote Morel continued to struggle through an extended remedial training period and that a specifically-tailored program was put in place in a vigorous attempt to train him.
Jennette wrote that at no time did any certified field training officer suggest to him or other supervisors that Morel had met the standards for solo patrol.
On March 29, though, Morel was suddenly listed on the roster of solo patrol officers, according to Jennette.
Sources tell the I-Team that how Morel ended up on solo patrol would have been part of an investigation into Verdi, had there been one.
The I-Team learned the major who informed Morel he'd be on solo patrol was the same major who signed off on Morel's first three disciplinary reports that led to reprimands and that Verdi was that Major's direct supervisor and those decisions would have gone through him.
Less than four weeks after Morel's firing, Verdi signed a separation agreement with the department.
The agreement, also obtained in a records request, states in part, "The Department will not disclose to any person or entity any information concerning Verdi's separation from the Department except as contained in Verdi's notice of intent to retire."
In return, the agreement states Verdi waived his right to sue or make claims against the department.
The agreement states the two sides will not disparage one another, and Verdi would receive his retirement benefits.
Verdi was on leave at the time. His wife has had health issues.
After the I-Team reached out to Verdi for this story, and left a message, his lawyer called back.
Attorney John Tarantino told the I-Team that "Commander Verdi retired because he believed it was in the best interest of his family."
Beyond that, Tarantino said the separation agreement speaks for itself, and there would be no further comment because of the agreement.
In an off-camera conversation, Morel told the I-Team he took ownership of his mistakes and nothing was covered up.
Morel claims he never got special treatment but instead believes he was under more scrutiny because of his relationship with Verdi.
Morel is now hoping for a second chance to be a police officer.
He heaped praise on Verdi, for helping him and the community, and told the I-Team that this story is unfair and untrue, that it's about people who didn't like Verdi trying to get back at him.
The Providence police chief at the time, Hugh Clements, told the I-Team that he would not comment on the situation.
He has a federal job in Washington now.
Steven Paré, the former public safety commissioner who signed the separation agreement, told the I-Team that he's bound by the document and couldn't say anything else.