Tiverton police officer, previously removed from SRO position, arrested for child abuse

WARREN, R.I. (WLNE) — Warren Police Chief Roy Borges said that an officer from the Tiverton Police Department was arrested for child abuse.

Jacob Rapoza was arrested and charged with second degree child abuse.

Rapoza was previously removed from his position as a Tiverton school resource officer in December after being charged with simple assault and two counts of disorderly conduct.

Borges said that the department conducted an investigation into alleged child abuse after a juvenile was brought to Hasbro Children’s Hospital with injuries.

The investigation resulted in an arrest warrant being issued for Rapoza.

He then turned himself in and was held as a bail violator.

Tiverton Police Chief Patrick Jones said that Rapoza had been suspended without pay since charges were filed in the Tiverton case in March, but he has now been suspended without pay.

Jones added that the suspension will be in place until the case is adjudicated.