2nd Providence Police Officer Held Without Bail

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A judge has ordered a second Providence police officer held without bail, ruling that he could flee if he was not detained while awaiting trial on drug charges.

Robert Hamlin becomes a second officer to be held without bail after three officers were charged following a cocaine bust. Another officer, Detective Joseph Colanduono, was ordered held without bail last month.

The three officers were arrested in March on charges that they participated in a drug-dealing operation.

The Providence Journal reports that a Providence District Court judge ordered Hamlin held without bail following a hearing that ended Thursday.

Prosecutors say Hamlin tipped off his brother Albert, who was also arrested on drug-dealing charges, to the names of Providence narcotics detectives.

      (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)