Providence Police Seek To Fire Officer Who Punched Political Opponent

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Providence Police Department is looking to fire Jeann Lugo, the Providence police officer who was captured on video striking his one-time political opponent Jennifer Rourke at an abortion rights rally.

Police have levied internal charges against Lugo, who is already facing criminal charges following an arrest over the weekend. Internal charges include multiple violations of police department policy, along with assault and disorderly conduct.

Read more: Providence Cop Charged After Punching Political Opponent: State Police

Police Chief Hugh Clements recommended that Lugo be terminated from his position, based on the findings of an internal investigation.

"Officer Lugo, you distrubing egregious, assaultive and unprofessional behavior while off duty, has brought discredit to your name and has tarnished the proud reputation of the Providence Police Department," Clements wrote.

"Based on the facts and circumstances presented to me, I have lost confidence in your capacity and ability to exercise self-control, and to conduct yourself in a civil, respectful and professional manner. Accordingly, I recommend that you be terminated from employment as a Providence police officer."

Read the full report here.

This stems from a Friday protest following the United States Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe V. Wade.

A video, captured by journalist Bill Bartholomew, has been viewed nearly 5 million times on Twitter since Friday, and has initiated statements from Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee.

"I've seen the video and it's immensely disturbing," Elorza said in a tweet, appearing to reference the footage. "Those responsible will be held fully accountable."

On Monday, McKee said "everybody should be held accountable for their behavior, and it doesn't matter what position they're in."

"If what we're being told turns out to be true, he should be severely disciplined and I would say the man should lose his job," he added.

Friday's Rally

Lugo and Rourke, who is the chair of the Rhode Island Political Cooperative, were both in attendance at a Roe V. Wade rally on Friday, which was attended by hundreds of people at the Rhode Island State House.

A fight broke out after Josh Mello, of Cranston, who was live-streaming the event, started shouting at the demonstrators, and Rourke tried to break up the conflict, the Boston Globe reported. Mello agreed to leave but was then assaulted by an unidentified person, and, as Rourke again tried to intervene, she was hit repeatedly by Lugo, according to the Globe.

Read more: At Providence Roe V. Wade Rally, Residents Wary Of Future Rulings

"Last night, after speaking at our Roe rally, my Republican opponent — a police officer — violently attacked me," Rourke, who is co-founder and chair of the Rhode Island Political Cooperative, said in a tweet Saturday. "This is what it is to be a Black woman running for office."

The Providence Department of Public Safety identified Lugo, a three-year veteran officer, as Rourke's assailant. Lugo was off-duty at the time of the attack and has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending a criminal investigation and administrative review, according to the department.

On Monday, Lugo's attorney, Daniel Griffin, released a statement on behalf of his client.

"There is far more to what occurred regarding the incident than what is being reported," he said.

He continued:

"We are working diligently to identify and speak to witnesses and we continue to obtain and analyze other video footage taken that night. Unfortunately, our approach is in direct contract to the one taken by the media which, as usual, was to hastily publish a story and condemn Officer Lugo based on seconds of edited video devoid of any context."

According to Globe reporting, Lugo said he would drop out of the District 29 race.