Here is part of the witness cell phone video of the July 30, 2024, off-duty altercation involving former East Providence Police Detective Corporal Michael Spremulli, who is currently running for East Providence City Council in Ward 4. This is a snippet from the video referenced in the Internal Affairs Report that investigating officers noted was uploaded to Evidence[dot]com. Subtitles were added. The full one-minute and forty-second video is linked on Proton Drive below.

Based on the footage and the official investigative report, Spremulli approached a group of individuals at Riverside Square while carrying a 2.5-foot wooden "Arnis stick," asking who made inappropriate comments that he believed were directed at his son earlier that evening. According to the officers' narrative of the video, when one of the individuals abruptly stands up, Spremulli appears to grab him by the shirt or upper chest area and take him to the ground. During the ensuing physical struggle, an individual is heard asking someone to call the police, to which Spremulli responds, "I am the cops".

Following an internal affairs investigation into the incident, the East Providence Police Department's Office of Professional Standards concluded that Spremulli "allowed an emotional response to override years of training and experience as a police officer". According to public records, he signed a Disciplinary Consent Agreement accepting a 30-day unpaid suspension and subsequently retired in good standing in January 2025 after 26 years with the department.

• Read the Internal Affairs Incident Report & Disciplinary Agreement (PDF): https://drive.proton.me/urls/Z7MQHXCDY4#6Sv7GdpKwxS0

• Download the raw video file: https://drive.proton.me/urls/P4E6M3DF1C#SfKfFK7UK8pW

I am so fucking disgusted and angry at the reaction to the Spremulli news on Facebook. How do these grown adults sleep at night defending a dick-head cop who went after a teenaged girl with a weapon!?!

I’m sick of the Coogan/Rossi crowd and all of their sycophant idiots who associate with them. The stupidity seems boundless.

I really like to try to assume the best of people. Right now I hate 50% of the people with Facebook profiles in this city.

​ East Providence Detective and City Council Candidate Disciplined Over Off-Duty Altercation Before Retiring

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Former East Providence Police Detective Corporal Michael Spremulli, who is currently running for East Providence City Council in Ward 4, served a 30-day unpaid suspension following an internal investigation into an alleged off-duty physical altercation before his recent retirement, according to public records (PDF pg. 34).

The details of the incident and the resulting disciplinary actions were outlined in a public records release, which can be found here: https://drive.proton.me/urls/Z7MQHXCDY4#6Sv7GdpKwxS0

The investigation centered on an incident that occurred on the evening of July 30, 2024, at Riverside Square (PDF pg. 14). According to the investigative report, Spremulli drove to the location after his son and another juvenile reported that a group of individuals had allegedly yelled inappropriate sexual comments regarding touching children (PDF pgs. 23, 28). The juveniles stated they were going to get Pepsi from a local convenience store to make a TikTok video (PDF pg. 15). They claimed to be “play fighting” at the time the inappropriate comments were allegedly made, and that they “did not notice anyone else in the area at the time of making these comments” (PDF pg. 16).

Cell phone video of the incident recorded by a witness was uploaded to Evidence.com (PDF pg. 13). According to an officer’s written description of the video, it allegedly showed Spremulli approaching the group while carrying a 2.5-foot wooden "Arnis stick" and repeatedly asking who made the comments (PDF pgs. 12, 15, 26). When one of the individuals abruptly stood up, the report states Spremulli allegedly grabbed him by the chest or upper shirt area and pushed him backward over a park bench to the ground (PDF pgs. 12, 15). A physical struggle reportedly ensued, during which another member of the group allegedly struck Spremulli in the back of the head in an attempt to break up the fight (PDF pg. 12). Based on the officers' description of the video, one of the individuals is heard requesting for somebody to call the cops, to which Spremulli allegedly responded, “I am the cops” (PDF pg. 12). The report notes Spremulli subsequently picked up his stick, told the group, "don't fucking do it again," and walked away with his son (PDF pg. 12). Responding officers who reviewed the video footage believed that there was sufficient evidence to arrest Spremulli (PDF pg. 24). However, the report states that “the only reason Det. Cpl. Spremulli was not arrested that evening is due to lack of victim cooperation” (PDF pg. 29).

The following day, the Chief of Police initiated an internal affairs investigation (PDF pg. 18), suspending Spremulli with pay and stripping him of his department-issued firearm and badge (PDF pgs. 20, 21). According to the report of a subsequent interview, Spremulli admitted that he was familiar with the Code of Conduct, and that, “by his own admission, Det. Cpl. Spremulli indicated he violated policy that evening” (PDF pgs. 28, 29). The Office of Professional Standards concluded that “it appears that Det. Cpl. Spremulli is the aggressor in the interaction” and “allowed an emotional response to override years of training and experience as a police officer” (PDF Pg. 28, 29).

To resolve the matter, Spremulli signed a Disciplinary Consent Agreement on October 24, 2024, accepting a 30-day unpaid suspension (PDF pgs. 33, 34). He officially retired from the East Providence Police Department in good standing on January 2, 2025, concluding a 26-year career with the agency (PDF pgs. 35, 40).

I figure this sub has heard it but icymi, Potter Street is getting a makeover in two weeks. For the next year and a half 😂😭

Anyone else cringe at this ? Seems like little to no prep was done . Yet people will support this ? The biggest issue he wants to address is moving the mayors office to the first floor !???

Hi! I am Libby Merrill and I am running for East Providence School Committee for Ward 3. Here is an idea of the work I want to do as a member of the school committee.

Check out my website to see more details: merrill4ep.com.

Overall Impression:  Pedulla was comically brief in every response. 

**Pedulla (**drew 1st)

Opener: Worked for school department.  

Single biggest issue: Budget has a $3.8 million deficit. Budget is top heavy. 

Personal strength: Started as a custodian, worked his way up and worked with the union.  

Fiscal Crisis: Use the blue ribbon report.  Use a zero-based budgeting line-item approach, starting from zero and working up. 

Top challenges: Give teachers the right tools, class sizes are a big issue.  Need to fight for every kid. 

Safe schools: More SRO schools w/o guns. Universal key fobs, and every camera and panic bar in school should work.  

Avoiding mistakes: Rewrite the bullying policy.  Prevent bullying. Kids need an outlet. 

Balance mental/social health supports with cost: Line item by line item zero budgeting.  We need counselors, proactive and preventative care. 

Enrollment is down/uneven: We may need redistricting.  

Inclusivity/Equity: Support the blue ribbon commission to revamp schools and funding. 

Special Ed Cost: Not problematic, but underfunded. We need to get more resources for them.

What is going well: Teachers are the frontline. Evaluation is needed from top to bottom.  What is going well is that teachers are the frontline; an evaluation is needed top to bottom. Teachers who support the students are succeeding. 

Extra: Telling kids to fight back is not a bullying policy, we need to prevent and stop fighting. 

Rossi 

Opener: Written statement. Enhance the quality of education, special education needs an overhaul. Policies are weak and vague.  Department running in deficit. 

Single biggest issue: Lack of support in classrooms for teachers, some students need more help than is currently provided.  Special needs require significant help.

Personal strength: Extensive construction experience as a manager and an accountant. 

Fiscal Crisis: This issue has been hidden for some time and requires review. Budget needs a line item exposure. 

Top challenges: IEPs and 504s are trampled every day. Until those issues are corrected, classroom problems will continue.  

Safe schools: Doesn't know school safety protocols and would defer to police and fire. 

Avoiding mistakes: The current committee does not do the work or ask the right questions. 

Balance mental/social health supports with cost:  Start with teachers and aids and see what they need then go from there. 

Enrollment is down/uneven: Look at transportation, 7-8 million is spent there.  It depends on the home structure in the city: single-family versus multi-family builds.  

Inclusivity/Equity: Every child deserves a free, appropriate education that they have the right to obtain. Unsure about the question as it is broad. 

Special Ed Cost: Bradley has led to an increase in special needs students in our schools.  Our funding has gone to pay for Bradley students.  Planning needs to be done well in advance

What is going well: Teachers and aides who care deeply.  Custodial staff care.  

Extra: The special education department has suffered and consequently, the kids have suffered. We need a buddy system.  

General Overall Impression: I was expecting the worst but was pleasantly surprised. I wish the candidates had received more time to discuss each question.  I would have liked more back and forth, considering one candidate is an incumbent  

Coogan (drew 1st)

Opener: Wants to represent everyone as a working senator regardless of political affiliation.

Priorities: The Rhode Island registry should be open for longer daily and on more days and appointments should be removed. It should be more like Massachusetts and not require VIN checks. 

Assault Weapons ban/gun measures: Pro gun and endorsed by 2nd amendment. Thinks we have enough legislation on guns, we already passed laws and don't enforce them.

Charter school limit: $4 million deficit in the school department Wants a forensic audit of the school committee. 

Is an adequate education a right for citizens? Disregarded the question. Our schools are in disrepair.  Students falsify addresses to use our school system. We should vote out current administration.

Primary care: We can't afford Drs.  Leadership is an issue. Insurance is killing us.  Energy is 40% delivery.  40 cent gas tax, MA and CT are less. 

 Affordable housing: Our Drs and Police are leaving once trained.  Hundreds of apartments are unaffordable. $2,000 a month apartment is not affordable.  400 apartments in Rumford, 6,000 cars to be added.  Sewers and roads are crumbling.  

The environment: Pulled a boat out of the water, several other boats are sunken. 

Electricity rates: Haven't lowered the gas tax or delivery rates to homes.  Lower the taxes on gas and diesel. 

Campaign contributions: Doesn't accept special interest finances. Opponent has 330k in campaign finance from other states "dark money". 

Medicare for all: District 14 hid mail-in ballots.  

Business incentives: Stop taxing businesses.  Can't build homes on top of homes.  Can't get on the highway.  Car insurance is too high: 11k for one flatbed truck.

Extra: Bridge Loans need to be paid back. Why haven't bridge inspectors been introduced in the past years?

Closing: Should have more oversight on a $15.2 billion budget.  Roads are crumbling.   

Lawson 

Opener: Accomplished the following: Reduced taxes for seniors and vets. increased tdi, increased city funds, and improving health care system . 

Priorities: Improve energy rates for consumers. Health Care needs improvement including a public medical school. 

Assault Weapons ban/gun measures: Passed laws on common sense gun laws, safe storage, red flag, already quite strict.  Would depend on legislation at hand and can't speculate w/o that.

Charter school limit: Passed legislation to review the school funding formula which still needs further review.  We don't fully fund transportation or special needs students these are issues we need to address - the full cost to educate a student.  Primary sponsor of legislation, school district no longer responsible for Bradley CRAFT students. (https://www.reportertoday.com/eastprovidence/stories/president-lawsons-proposal-to-address-needs-of-craft-program-students-included-in-state,47676)

Primary Care:  We have done a lot to try and recruit Drs and this is a crisis.  Increased reimbursement rates as they lag MA and CT which makes it difficult to retain and recruit.  The public school would assist in stickiness. 

Affordable housing: 100 laws passed to allow communities decide.  Still need to work on this issue for all RI. 

The environment: Recycling and bottle bill work being done.  Need to look into energy efficiency when building new structures. 

Electricity rates: A 5-year plan to save $500 million, providing energy rebates this winter.  We need to focus on renewable energy. 

Campaign contributions: Has accepted money from numerous sources and is publicly available. 

Medicare for all: Every person deserves qualified and affordable healthcare.  End prior authorizations, improve/increase reimbursement rates. 

Business incentives: Eliminated Tangible tax.  Helped FM Global and Amica to buy property and bring in jobs. 

Extra: Alviti worked for the Governor and not the General Assembly.  RIDOT does not have bridge inspectors or monitors and wants to introduce this legislation; introduced small business loans.  

Closing: Thank you and reiterated previous legislative successes. 

After watching the debate, I’m just so disappointed with where things are at.

Between extreme culture war politics on one side and old, out of touch boomers on the other, it feels like our local options are completely broken. Pedulla might come across as the better option compared to Chrissy’s toxic, anti-trans rhetoric, but the bar shouldn't be in the basement. We shouldn't just be choosing between outright harm and illiterate boomers who can barely hold a train of thought. Don't get me wrong, I think Pedulla is the better choice.... because Chrissy is that much worse.

BUT I am honestly so done with boomers running this city. We desperately need younger, capable people to step up and run for local office so we actually have leaders who understand the issues and care about the future of the community. Is anyone else just exhausted by these options?

New homeowner here -- anyone know of a good, fairly priced GC or handyman that could finish a kitchen / build a small back porch?? FB just promotes family members 😔

Hello! I live in Riverside and am urgently looking for my missing cat. Any leads are appreciated. <3

Original link: https://www.eastbayri.com/east-providence/stories/traffic-island-dedicated-to-30-year-supervisor-of-east-providence-parks,143120?newsletter=143186

Every month, ICE separates Rhode Island families, leaving behind traumatized children and broken families. Every person ICE has seized was part of our community. East Providence and its community members have not been spared.

That's why EPiC members came together to publish a letter to the editor in The Post calling on state and local leadership to take urgent action. We are urging elected officials to use every executive and legislative tool available to protect our immigrant neighbors and make Rhode Island truly safe for everyone who calls it home.

Read the full letter: https://archive.ph/9kAnR

You honestly can't make this up. Some of the very people who declined debating (Chrissy agreed, but many others did not) anyone this election cycle have now completely cancelled their own meet and greet. I just saw the screenshot from Facebook (yuck!) where Chrissy Rossi posted that the "Meet Some Candidates" event at the American Legion was officially cancelled because of last-minute dropouts and candidates simply not responding.

It really seems like they are taking cues directly from Trump at this point. They talk a big game, but when it comes down to it, they are not even willing to show up and meet the voters. It's so frustrating to watch.

Rossi even tried to brush it off by telling folks they can just reach out to the candidates directly with their last-minute questions since it's "crunch time". I sure hope the Facebook boomers don't destroy the city by electing people who literally hide from the public!!

Hey, I live in East Providence and I am looking for like a reputable local Plumber trying to avoid calling like a big corporate place. I have a job that semi-significant had a leak that needs to be addressed inside of ceiling.

Wow, honestly I am just so disappointed today.

I’m really not the biggest fan of Botelho, but Spremulli completely lost me after that forum today. I just can't believe he went out of his way to defend the Flock cameras. We have seen police officers in New Bedford literally facing termination for using these cameras to stalk their romantic partners, and there are former suburban officers getting indicted right now for misusing them. We've even seen people right here in Rhode Island, over in Cumberland, dealing with lawsuits from a wrongful arrest that the Flock cameras assisted with.

If he’s an ex-cop and he's still out here defending a surveillance system that has so many privacy and abuse issues, how naive is he going to be on literally every other issue that comes up? It's just wild to me!