Cop Krawetz hit with termination notice

LINCOLN, RI (WPRI) Suspended and twice convicted Lincoln police officer Edward Krawetz was served with a complaint and notice of termination four months after a conviction for kicking a handcuffed woman in the head.

"Officer Krawetz was charged and served Thursday," Vincent Ragosta, who represents the town in the civil matter, told Target 12

A Twin River surveillance camera caught a uniformed Krawetz kicking Donna Levesque who was sitting on a curb near the officer after she was told to leave the slot parlor for unruly behavior. The 20 year veteran was convicted in January in a bench trial by Judge Edward Clifton who decided not to send him to the ACI. Krawetz was ordered to undergo counseling and given a 10 year suspended sentence.

Ragosta said Krawetz has 5 days from the notice to respond. The complaint and notice will eventually lead to a Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights tribunal. Krawetz will pick one officer, the Lincoln police chief will pick a second and the two sides will pick the third 'neutral' officer. Ragosta told Target 12 if Krawetz prevails he could receive back pay,

"(The hearing) could be within weeks unless his attorneys try to delay, pending his appeal of the criminal conviction," Ragosta said.

Krawetz' attorney John Harwood filed an appeal after the conviction and told Target 12 the appeals process could take years. Krawetz is suspended from the police force without pay but Ragosta said he will continue to receive medical benefits while the cases move forward.

This was the second conviction for Krawetz who was found guilty of misdemeanor assault in 2001 after an off duty confrontation with a man who was jogging with friends in Cumberland. Chris McGill said Krawetz, who was driving his own vehicle at the time, veered toward them and almost hit them. Krawetz got out of his car and then confronted McGill. He was suspended for 30 days following that conviction and Eyewitness News learned that several town officials recommended to the police chief at the time that Krawetz should be fired.

A civil lawsuit by Levesque is also expected but so far that suit has not been filed in either state or federal court.