Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Providence’s famous dancing cop said he was fired Tuesday for organizing a protest over the appearance of a “blacklivesmatter” hashtag on another police officer’s coffee cup at a Rhode Island Dunkin’ Donuts.
Tony Lepore led a small protest in October outside the coffee shop in support of the officer.
Lepore said he met with police officials Tuesday, where he was told that community groups were upset about the protest and he wouldn’t be rehired.
The 68-year-old retired from the Providence Police Department in 1989 and was then hired by the city to direct downtown traffic each holiday season. Commuters know him for his dance moves that’s he’s been perfecting since 1984. He’s appeared on national television shows.
Police Commissioner Steven Pare said Lepore gave the inaccurate impression that he represented the position of the Providence Police Department during the protest and in public statements about it.
“Mr. Lepore was not authorized to speak on behalf of the Providence Police Department and his actions were, in my judgment, a disservice to the department and to members of the Providence community,” he said in a statement.
Lepore said he’s upset because the city isn’t taking all of the work he has done for Providence over the years into account, including countless visits to schools.
He called it “very simple politics.”
“I feel bad I’m not going to be there anymore,” he said. “But I had a good run. I had a good run. I’m known all over the country, but I wasn’t doing it for myself. I was doing it for the town. It gave the town so much publicity. No one knew where Rhode Island was in 1984.”
Lepore said his supporters are comparing the mayor to the Grinch. He doesn’t regret organizing the protest.
“I had a mission to make sure all police officers were treated like police officers, not like dirt,” he said.
Lepore plans to continue traveling as a performer, visiting schools and going to parades.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press