Suspended Tiverton police officer Jacob Rapoza will learn his fate late next month, following the conclusion of his trial Wednesday.
Rapoza, the former school resource officer at Tiverton High …
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Suspended Tiverton police officer Jacob Rapoza will learn his fate late next month, following the conclusion of his trial Wednesday.
Rapoza, the former school resource officer at Tiverton High School, was charged by Tiverton police in March 2023 with two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and one misdemeanor simple assault charge. Following a one-day trial, defense and prosecution both rested their cases in front of Second Division District Court Judge Colleen M. Hastings on Wednesday, March 20. Hastings called a disposition hearing for Wednesday, April 24, at which she is expected to announce her verdict.
Even if Rapoza is exonerated on the three counts brought by Tiverton police, his legal troubles would not be over — an unrelated felony child abuse charge brought by Warren police is still pending.
Rapoza, the former school resource officer at Tiverton High School, was suspended in December 2022 after parents complained about his reaction to graffiti put on his school office door by students. Police investigating the incident later uncovered allegations that Rapoza had activated his department-issued taser several times at school athletic events and in school. Tiverton Police Chief Patrick Jones said Rapoza has been suspended without pay since charges were filed.
The felony child abuse charge was brought by Warren police in August 2023, after the mother of his child alleged that he had the child.