Tony Lepore Explained

Tony Lepore (born October 17, 1947), popularly known as the Dancing Cop, is a retired American police officer who danced while directing traffic in Providence, Rhode Island during the December holiday season. Lepore has also done stage performances.https://web.archive.org/web/20051030012857/http://riroads.com/links/listdetail.cgi?Lookup=10753503799126817

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 reserve police officer and continued the practice in ensuing years[1]

In 2015, Providence officials elected to terminate Lepore's contract. Lepore alleged that they fired him for organizing an anti-Black Lives Matter protest.[2]

In 2019, Lepore announced his retirement and move to Florida.

External links

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Notes and References

  1. News: Dancing Cop Tony Lepore entertains drivers, pedestrians and curiosity seekers while directing traffic in Providence. 20 December 2012. New York Daily News.
  2. News: Black Lives Matter protesters target dancing cop's new gig . https://web.archive.org/web/20151209124257/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/black-lives-matter-protesters-target-dancing-cops-new-gig/2015/11/30/7830b4c0-9781-11e5-aca6-1ae3be6f06d2_story.html . dead . December 9, 2015 . Washington Post . November 30, 2015.