The Johnston Police Officer arrested on breaking and entering and simple assault charges out of Warwick has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of a "seriously focused" investigation, according to Johnston Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini.
In an interview, Tamburini said the charges against officer Marissa Ciccone, 24, who joined the force last December and was arrested by Warwick police on Monday, are "embarrassing" and the "allegations are serious," prompting the suspension and subsequent internal investigation.
"Let me emphasize that we're taking this very seriously and focused on the investigation," Tamburini said. "When Warwick turns their information over to us, we'll review the case to determine how to proceed from there."
Tamburini spoke with Warwick Police Chief Col. Stephen McCartney this morning, who said their investigation is ongoing.
Ciccone, 24, who recited the Police Officers' Code of Ethics during her graduation ceremony in December, reportedly slapped a 17-year-old girl after she and James Fortin of Warren broke into a Byron Blvd. house in Warwick and demanded money she was owed from a drug deal.
She allegedly slapped the juvenile when the child intervened in an argument involving Ciccone and the juvenile's parents.
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