Providence Police Move To Fire Cop Who Slammed Man's Head Into Ground

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence police captain who was caught on video slamming a handcuffed man's head into the ground will fight for his job after Police Chief Hugh T. Clements recommended he be fired, or resign.

The Rhode Island Attorney General's Office and Providence Police Department are still investigating the incident involving Captain Stephen Gencarella, but a report from Clements charges him with six department violations.

Clements found that Gencarella violated not only the department's use of force policy, but also the criminal and civil rights of 21-year-old Armando Rivas, whose head was slammed into the ground. Read the full report here.

The circumstances surrounding this stem from a July 3 arrest in the area around India Point Park.

Officers were attempting to tow a Jeep around 9:30 p.m., just after the fireworks display at India Point Park came to a close. Rivas, a police report claims, attempted to get into the car as to not allow the tow to happen.

Read more: Providence Cop Slams Man's Head Into Ground, RI AG Investigating

The officers then engaged Rivas, attempting to handcuff him. What happened next is what was captured on video by a bystander.

In response to the findings and recommendations of Clements, the Boston Globe reports that Gencarella has requested a hearing under the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights, a set of rules regarding police disicipline.

According to the report, a panel of three law enforcement officers will consider the charges against him and decide his fate.