Tony Lepore (born October 17, 1947), popularly known as the Dancing Cop, is a retired
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, p ...
police officer who danced while directing traffic in
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence () is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Rhode Island, most populous city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. The county seat of Providence County, Rhode Island, Providence County, it is o ...
during the December holiday season. Lepore has also done stage performance
Lepore began dancing while directing traffic in 1984 as a way to relieve boredom. After he retired from the Providence Police Department, city leaders asked that him to return during the holiday season in 1992. He agreed to a contract to return as a
Auxiliary police, reserve police officer and continued the practice in ensuing years
In 2015, Providence officials elected to terminate Lepore's contract. Lepore alleged that they fired him for organizing an anti-
Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a Decentralization, decentralized political and social movement that aims to highlight racism, discrimination and Racial inequality in the United States, racial inequality experienced by black people, and to pro ...
protest.
In 2019, Lepore announced his retirement and move to
Florida
Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...
.
References
External links
ABC 6: The Dancing Cop is Retiring
1947 births
Living people
Law enforcement officials from Rhode Island
People from Providence, Rhode Island
American municipal police officers
Place of birth missing (living people)
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