Police union: morale has been shaken

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The mood at the Providence Police Department has been shaken by the arrests of three officers on drug charges , according to the police union.

"Last week was like a wake," said Police Union Vice President Clarence Gough. "It was quiet in the station."

State Police announced the arrest of three Providence Police officers last week, as part of the ongoing drug investigation called Operation Deception . The officers are accused of protecting, and profiting from, a large-scale cocaine distribution ring.

Gough said the scandal has been especially difficult on uniform officers who deal with the public on a daily basis.

"I'm sure the public looks at us totally differently than they did a week ago," Gough said. "We were in the boat rowing; doing the job we were asked to do. I think we're still doing it, but now we're towing this big barge."

Gough hopes the arrests do not bring down the work of the other members of the department.

"We're telling the men and women on the force to keep their heads up, and do the job the city needs them to do."