Tiverton school resource officer put on paid administrative leave

TIVERTON — Tiverton Public Schools announced their school resource officer is no longer employed with the district on Monday.

According to the announcement that was posted online and shared in a letter to families, the school district stopped employing the SRO, Officer Jacob Rapoza, on Dec. 23. The statement says the district was “made aware of a situation and are working with the proper authorities as required,” and that “No students were harmed or in harm's way in the reported incidents, and Tiverton Police continues to provide SRO support for the School District.”

Neither the school district nor the police department was willing to provide follow-up information as to the situation which transpired, however, Tiverton Police Chief Patrick Jones said the officer has been put on paid administrative leave.

Superintendent Peter Sanchioni said he is unable to comment on the situation beyond the brief statement released by the district and that the issue is a police matter. Jones said he was also unable to comment due to the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights, which prohibits the department from making public statements until after a decision is rendered by a hearing committee.

According to WJAR-TV, the removal of the SRO, identified as Jacob Rapoza, came after students decorated the hallway and door of Rapoza's office. A post of the prank on Instagram later led to comments from Rapoza threatening to alter students' driving records, which led to a response from a parent of one of the students involved.

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Tiverton schools announced resource officer no longer employed