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March 29, 2007

W. Warwick officer fired, 3 years after internal fracas

Sean C. Duffy, the West Warwick police officer who beat up two fellow officers in the department break room three years ago, was dismissed from the force today.

The dismissal comes from a decision of a law enforcement hearing committee which found Duffy guilty of 11 of the 17 violations of departmental rules, regulations and general policies.

Duffy had been out on paid administrative leave since the incident on April 4, 2004, when he started a fight in the Police Department roll-call room after fellow officers made jokes about his Chinese takeout dinner.

In the fracas, Patrolman Jonathan P. Izzi and Duffy's supervisor, Sgt. Fernando Araujo, were injured. Duffy was charged with disorderly conduct and assault.

In June 2005, Duffy was convicted of both charges at a District Court trial. He appealed that decision in Superior Court. That trial ended in deadlock. Duffy eventually settled for a plea deal that downgraded his charge to disorderly conduct.

In February, the committee convened as is required by the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights to determine Duffy's level of culpability and hand down any necessary punishment. Though the decision was given on Monday, Duffy was formally notified today of his dismissal, said acting Chief Charles Desrosiers.

-- Journal staff writer Talia Buford

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 4:42 PM | Permalink

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