PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The chief of police in Rhode Island’s capital has really useful {that a} metropolis officer charged with assaulting a lady throughout an abortion-rights protest ought to lose his job.
Patrolman Jeann Lugo’s “disturbing, egregious, assaultive and unprofessional behavior while off duty, has brought discredit to your name and has tarnished the proud reputation of the Providence Police Department,” chief Col. Hugh Clements wrote in a five-page doc outlining the outcomes of an inner investigation launched Tuesday.
Lugo, 35, was charged with easy assault and disorderly conduct in reference to the confrontation on the State House on Friday. Jennifer Rourke, the chair of the progressive Rhode Island Political Cooperative searching for the Democratic nomination for a state Senate seat, stated she was punched within the face no less than twice by Lugo.
According to the inner investigation, Lugo struck Rourke on the left aspect of her face along with his proper hand, struck her once more within the space of her face along with his left hand, then walked away. The inner investigation additionally alleged that Lugo violated division guidelines and rules relating to obedience to legal guidelines and guidelines, normal of conduct, courtesy, guidelines governing conduct, and demeanor.
“Based on the facts and circumstances presented to me, I have lost confidence in your capacity and ability to exercise self-control, and to conduct yourself in a civil, respectful and professional manner. Accordingly, I recommend that you be terminated from employment as a Providence police officer,” Clements wrote.
Lugo was operating for the GOP nomination for a similar seat Rourke is searching for. He ended his marketing campaign the day after the protest, which was held in response to the choice launched the identical day by the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade resolution that had supplied a constitutional proper to abortion.
An electronic mail and voicemail have been left Wednesday with Daniel Griffin, Lugo’s lawyer.
Griffin in a press release to the The Providence Journal stated he was “shocked and extremely disappointed.”
“To make this decision so hastily really flies in the face of due process and fair treatment,” he stated.
“It’s unclear if the State Police has even completed the entirety of its investigation, and yet the City has moved to terminate one of its own police officers — one with an unblemished record — just 72 hours after charges were brought.”
Lugo was been suspended with pay from the police division and is free pending a courtroom listening to scheduled for July 8.
Under the state’s Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights, Lugo has 5 days to request a listening to. Griffin stated he intends to take action.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”