Lincoln's Krawetz fights termination

LINCOLN, R.I. (WPRI) Twice convicted Lincoln police officer Edward Krawetz who was caught on video kicking a handcuffed woman in the head, will fight the town's effort to fire him.

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 incident.

During his January bench trial, Krawetz claimed self defense, telling the court that he reacted to Levesque kicking his shin area. The 20 year veteran 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's termination case will be heard and decided by 3 police officers in a system outlined by the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights . Lincoln has chosen a South Kingstown police captain to serve on the tribunal. Krawetz now has 5 days to choose an officer. Then, the two sides will have 5 days to agree on a third officer.

The town's attorney in the termination case, Vincent Ragosta, told Target 12 if the two sides cannot agree on a third officer, they will go to the presiding judge in the case and ask for a 30 day extension to pick the third officer.

The hearing is supposed to begin within 30 days from when the 3 officer panel is filled but the tribunal is closed to the public unless the officer decides to allow the proceedings to be open. Ragosta said if Krawetz prevails he could receive back pay.

Krawetz' attorney Gary Gentile would not comment on the case.

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 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 in Cumberland.

Krawetz was suspended from the police force 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.