Officer resigns after kick conviction

LINCOLN, R.I. (WPRI) -- The Lincoln police officer found guilty of kicking a woman in the head while she was handcuffed in custody has resigned.

Lincoln Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond confirmed to Eyewitness News Wednesday morning that the town has accepted an "unconditional and irrevocable resignation" from Officer Edward Krawetz.

Krawetz was found guilty of felony assault in January after kicking a handcuffed woman in the head outside the Twin River slot parlor.

Krawetz was involved in legal proceedings to keep his job when he handed in his resignation.

"This action has allowed the town to avoid the inherent uncertainty of costly and time-consuming litigation and appeals, which would inevitably ensue if this matter remained unresolved," Almond said in a statement. "The town believes it was in the best interest of all the parties involved to bring this matter to a just conclusion."

A Twin River surveillance camera recorded Krawetz kicking Donna Levesque , who was sitting on a curb near the officer at the time. Levesque was told to leave the slot parlor for unruly behavior right before the May 31, 2009 kick to the head.

During his January bench trial, Krawetz claimed self defense, telling the court that he reacted to Levesque kicking his shin area. He was convicted of felony battery by Judge Edward Clifton who decided against jail time. Krawetz was ordered to undergo counseling and given a 10-year suspended sentence.

Krawetz' attorney in the criminal case, John Harwood, filed an appeal after the conviction and told Target 12 the appeals process could take years.

Krawetz was also convicted of misdemeanor assault in 2001 after an off duty confrontation with a man who was jogging in Cumberland. He was suspended from the police force for 30 days following that conviction and Eyewitness News learned that town officials recommended to the police chief at the time that Krawetz should be fired.

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