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Rhode Island news
8.10.2000 00:05
Apology letter
Following is the text of a letter sent yesterday to Joel P. Rawson, senior vice president and executive editor of The Providence Journal, from Col. Urbano Prignano Jr., Providence police chief:
Dear Mr. Rawson:
The purpose of this letter is to offer a public apology to The Providence Journal, and more specifically, photographer Rachel Ritchie. Last Sunday, following a serious shooting incident in our city, officers at the scene learned from Rachel Ritchie that she may have photographed the person responsible for wounding four people. This information was offered to our officers by the photographer. At the outset, this Journal photographer was offering assistance by informing our department that she may have this evidence.
My review, as the Chief of Police, of what followed has led me to conclude the actions of my officers in seizing the camera equipment and film, as well as their handling of Rachel Ritchie was improper. At this point, it appears that at least some of the officers believed it was within their power to seize these items in order to obtain and preserve the evidence from the shooting. Nevertheless, our handling of this matter was unacceptable.
As Chief of Police, it is my obligation to take responsibility for the actions of my officers and to take the necessary steps to insure that improper conduct not be repeated. As such, I am issuing an immediate directive which reiterates the policy of my administration to create and foster a cooperative relationship with all members of the media. This directive will specifically detail the rights of the media with respect to carrying out their work and their work product.
In addition to this public apology, I would like to take this opportunity to commend the courageous actions of Rachel Ritchie in photographing this traumatic event without regard for her personal safety. I would also like to commend and thank you, Joel, for your decision to provide our police department with this critical evidence, which you had no obligation to provide at the time. Your decision was instrumental in the immediate apprehension of this extremely dangerous individual.
Urbano Prignano Jr.
Colonel, Chief of Police
cc: Rachel Ritchie, Staff Photographer
Apology letter
Following is the text of a letter sent yesterday to Joel P. Rawson, senior vice president and executive editor of The Providence Journal, from Col. Urbano Prignano Jr., Providence police chief:
Dear Mr. Rawson:
The purpose of this letter is to offer a public apology to The Providence Journal, and more specifically, photographer Rachel Ritchie. Last Sunday, following a serious shooting incident in our city, officers at the scene learned from Rachel Ritchie that she may have photographed the person responsible for wounding four people. This information was offered to our officers by the photographer. At the outset, this Journal photographer was offering assistance by informing our department that she may have this evidence.
My review, as the Chief of Police, of what followed has led me to conclude the actions of my officers in seizing the camera equipment and film, as well as their handling of Rachel Ritchie was improper. At this point, it appears that at least some of the officers believed it was within their power to seize these items in order to obtain and preserve the evidence from the shooting. Nevertheless, our handling of this matter was unacceptable.
As Chief of Police, it is my obligation to take responsibility for the actions of my officers and to take the necessary steps to insure that improper conduct not be repeated. As such, I am issuing an immediate directive which reiterates the policy of my administration to create and foster a cooperative relationship with all members of the media. This directive will specifically detail the rights of the media with respect to carrying out their work and their work product.
In addition to this public apology, I would like to take this opportunity to commend the courageous actions of Rachel Ritchie in photographing this traumatic event without regard for her personal safety. I would also like to commend and thank you, Joel, for your decision to provide our police department with this critical evidence, which you had no obligation to provide at the time. Your decision was instrumental in the immediate apprehension of this extremely dangerous individual.
Urbano Prignano Jr.
Colonel, Chief of Police
cc: Rachel Ritchie, Staff Photographer
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