Bad cop Ciresi's conviction upheld

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A high court has upheld the conviction of Michael Ciresi, a former North Providence police sergeant, on multiple crimes, after he's appealed to try to get out of prison.

The Rhode Island State Supreme Court issued the decision Thursday. Judge Gilbert Indeglia wrote the decision, quoting Benjamin Franklin: "It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it."

Ciresi had plenty of the latter, the jury found.

In 2008, Ciresi was sentenced to twenty years in jail after being found guilty on several charges, including burglarizing homes in Pawtucket and North Providence. The court's decision noted the state presented approximately thirty witnesses, including known criminals, against Ciresi.

• Related: Read the State Supreme Court's written decision (PDF)

Ciresi's appeal of the conviction back in April argued the trial judge shouldn't have let the jury hear about misconduct for which he was not charged, and to allow his criminal cases to be combined.

Still, the Supreme Court ruled Ciresi didn't prove he suffered undue prejudice; the conviction will stand.

Ciresi was sentenced to twenty years in prison, as well as a twenty-five year suspended sentence with probation.

Good cop, bad cop

Ciresi built a reputation while on the force, the decision noted -- from patrolman to narcotics detective, firearms instructor, and then sergeant. As such, his arrest record was "prolific," and he was given "a little more leeway than the average officer" in conducting police work -- he'd also get the rep for bending the rules.

The apple cart was upset when an attempted burglary in Pawtucket in Dec. 2004 was linked to Ciresi. Then, a laundry list of crimes committed by the decorated police officer was uncovered:

• Receiving stolen goods over $500: a generator and a bracelet.
• Receiving stolen goods under $500: two watches.
• Attempted larceny of currency from an ATM.
• Harboring a criminal.
• Obstructing two police officers.

And then, more charges, more than a year later:

• Two burglaries.
• Two counts of conspiracy to commit burglary.
• Using a firearm while committing a crime of violence.

The common thread: Ciresi used his connections to criminals and informants to do business with them and profit from it, the decision said.