PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A judge has upheld Providence’s decision to stop paying a city police sergeant charged with assaulting a handcuffed prisoner.
Sgt. Joseph Hanley was notified by the city in October that he would stop receiving his pay because more than 180 days had lapsed without a disposition of the criminal charge, under the state’s Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights.
Hanley petitioned for a stay of his suspension without pay based on delays in the case that he said were out of his control, but the judge ruled Tuesday that Hanley “contributed to the delay in his criminal proceedings.”
Hanley is charged with simple assault for allegedly punching, kicking, and kneeling on the head of a handcuffed man last April. He pleaded not guilty.
The man, Rishod Gore, 28, has settled with the city and all charges were dropped.
Hanley tried to have his case dismissed, saying the unsanctioned public release of police body camera video of the arrest denied him of his due process rights. A judge disagreed.
Hanley’s trial is scheduled to start Feb. 10.
A message was left with Hanley’s attorney.
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