Operation deception, public perception

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Operation Deception is a serious setback for the image of the Providence Police Department, which has seen its share of scandals.

Mayor David Cicilline and Col. Dean Esserman do not compare past police scandals to the current one; Operation Deception and the on-going probe into the caught on tape police beating of Luis Mendonca.

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"Let me be very clear. This is a changed police department," said Cicilline.

The mayor claims there are better systems in place to catch bad officers, and said they are working.

"I think that if you look at what this chief has done in this police department, in the last seven years, there are a record number of disciplines, investigations, firings and criminal prosecutions against police. That's not the way it used to be," said Cicilline.

Four additional unnamed officers have been placed on administrative duty as the investigation continues.

"Out of the abundance of caution four good men needed to be put on restricted duty. I don't have the luxury of ignoring it. I have to act, and I can act just as strongly when it's time to rehabilitate that good officer's name," said Col. Esserman.

Esserman said he hopes their time on limited duty is short.