Police department sued over union boss’ right to free speech

JOHNSTON, R.I. – The American Civil Liberties Union says it’s suing a Rhode Island police department on behalf of a union president who accuses it of violating his right to free speech.

The ACLU of Rhode Island says it filed the lawsuit Wednesday against the Johnston Police Department for retired detective James Brady.

Brady, as union president, told The Providence Journal last year officer and union member Adam Catamero was straightforward and all-business and was fired because his superiors didn’t like how he did things.

The lawsuit alleges police Chief Richard Tamburini violated Brady’s free speech rights by suspending him without pay for two days for his comments. It seeks an order invalidating the policies under which Brady was disciplined.

Messages seeking comment from Tamburini and Democratic Mayor Joseph Polisena haven’t been returned.