Arbitrator to hear police chief dispute

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I.—An arbitrator is scheduled to decide whether East Providence violated the local police union’s contract by opening the search for a new chief to applicants from outside the department.

The closed hearing begins Tuesday at the International Brotherhood of Police Officers’ headquarters in Warwick.

The union contends the city violated its contract by opening the search to outsiders, and then hiring someone from outside the department ahead of 11 internal candidates.

Joseph Tavares, who worked for the Warwick Police Department for three decades, was selected as the new chief in September.

The city contends the language in the contract isn’t binding.

City lawyer Matthew Oliverio told The Providence Journal there is no telling how long the hearing will last.