Crime & Safety
'Combative' RI Constable Blocked Dad From Autistic Son During Eviction: DBR
The constable also threatened to pepper spray the resident and lied about suffering an injury, the Department of Business Regulation said.
A "combative" Rhode Island constable threatened a resident and blocked him from assisting his autistic son, according to a Department of Business Regulation consent agreement.
The constable, Michael Clemente, agreed to a three-month suspension of his constable's license, the department reported.
Clemente threatened to pepper spray the Providence resident and "blocked the entry to the eviction premises when the resident ... returned home to assist and accompany his adult autistic son who had been in the home alone when Respondent arrived for the eviction" on March 4, according to the agreement.
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The agreement cited witnesses recounting that "Clemente was aggressive and combative with the Resident, yelling at him refusing entry, threatening to spray the resident with pepper spray as the resident called the police for help, and pushing the door closed against the Resident."
It also said the resident told police "Clemente would not allow him inside to gather personal items or clothing."
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For his part, Clemente told police "that in the course of attempting to gain entry to the home the Resident pushed against the door to such a degree that (Clemente) on the other side of it was pushed into the wall against his back, and that when the Resident entered the home he pushed (Clemente) with two hands, and attempted to physically swing at him," the consent agreement said.
Clemente claimed he was "injured as a result, spending time in the hospital and rehab after this occurred," according to the consent agreement, but it later came to light that he "discussed with another constable he injured himself days earlier lifting a large bag of cat litter."
The Providence police arrested Clemente May 21 on charges of false report of a crime and disorderly conduct.
Clemente pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct June 24 and the false report of a crime charge was dismissed.
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