CRANSTON — Pointing to a “mass leadership exodus” and the mayor’s “closeness to the police union,” the City Council is looking to shed light on the inner workings of the Police Department by hiring a consultant to update a six-year-old performance audit.

The outside review would “provide an objective assessment” of the department, helping the council make decisions during an “unexpected change in leadership” and end any “political games,” said Councilman Emilio L. Navarro, who sponsored the move.

Members of the all-Democratic council voted unanimously on Monday to approve the idea, but Republican Mayor Allan W. Fung said Tuesday that the vote was based on groundless concerns about the department and borders on interference with his responsibility as the city’s chief public safety officer.

“It’s purely political,” he said. “It’s criticism that is based upon their own beliefs, because I can guarantee you that Mr. Navarro has not talked to the command staff, has not stepped foot in the police station to observe the Police Department and probably has not been out with the officers on patrol.”

While Fung said the department is functioning well despite the retirement of its three top officers during the past month, Navarro said the departures, along with a “strange contract” that Fung negotiated with the police union, and which the council later rejected, point for the audit’s need.

“It’s time to really take a look at what’s been going on in the Police Department,” he said.

Navarro estimated the audit would cost about $10,000 — a relatively low figure because the council would be asking Carroll Buracker & Associates, of Harrisonburg, Va., to update an audit done in 2003. However, Fung questioned that assumption, saying he didn’t see how the cost could be that low when the company employees would have to travel to Rhode Island and spend time with the department.

Buracker was hired by former Mayor Stephen P. Laffey in 2003 to do performance audits of the police and fire departments, at a cost of $135,000. The company ultimately concluded that the Police Department needed more officers while the Fire Department was overstaffed. Recommendations that the Fire Department cut staff and close a station proved controversial among firefighters and among council Democrats. Laffey, a Republican, defended the findings but did not act on them.

Fung, a council member at the time, recalled that history Tuesday, saying he will support the audit idea if the council is willing to look at more than just the police.

“Let’s do it for all departments,” he said. “Don’t do it just for a department that is running well, even in this transition period, and doing what it has to do to keep residents safe.”

The council has also questioned Fung’s plan to replace former Police Chief Stephen C. McGrath — who retired last month — from within the Police Department, citing restrictions in the police union contract.

The contract states that the person promoted to chief has to have served as a captain or major for “at least three years in time grade,” with the implication being that they have to have held those positions within the department, Fung has said.

Council President John E. Lanni Jr. said he has a verbal opinion from the council’s lawyer that the city can hire a chief from outside.

He said he is now seeking a second opinion.

“I want more than one,” he said.

redgar@projo.com