I-Team: Civilian operator accused of tipping off suspect

An alleged drug dealer was tipped off that he was being followed by a Providence narcotics officer, the NBC 10 I-Team reported.

The last thing a narcotics officer needs is someone telling the suspect that he’s being followed. But that’s what allegedly happened Feb. 10 in Providence.

William Trink, the director of the communications center in Providence, confirmed that a female civilian control center operator has been placed on administrative leave.

Two sources told the I-Team that a Providence police narcotics officer was tailing a suspect.  The officer called into the female operator and asked that the suspect’s car registration be checked out.

She allegedly ran the plate and gave the officer the identity of the vehicle’s owner. The woman is accused of calling the drug suspect and telling that person he was being followed by police.

All phone calls to and from the call center are tape-recorded.

Cmdr. Paul Kennedy of Providence police said an investigation is under way. He declined to provide further details.

The name of the civilian operator has not been released.