PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A former Providence deputy police chief who was recently appointed the new police chief in Woonsocket has received more than $133,000 in unused sick and vacation time.
Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt last month introduced Thomas Oates as the department’s new head.
WPRI-TV reports that records show Oates left the Providence department last week with about 242 unused sick days and 390 vacation days in his 36-year career. Upon his retirement from the city, Oates became eligible to cash out $91,389 in unused sick time and $42,017 for vacation time.
A city ordinance signed in 2013 allows a select group of mostly management-level employees to receive about $1 million in sick-time severance payments upon retirement.
The city allows all employees to cash out vacation time.
Oates declined to comment.
