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North Kingstown Officer Resigns After Arraignment on Sexual Assault Charges
Cyress Harrison, a 27-year-old North Kingstown police officer, was arraigned Tuesday on three counts of second-degree sexual assault stemming from an on-duty incident in August. He resigned from the department the same day and was released on personal recognizance pending a December 1 hearing.
A North Kingstown police officer has resigned after being charged with multiple counts of second-degree sexual assault, the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office announced Tuesday.
Cyress Harrison, 27, was arraigned in Washington County Superior Court on three counts of second-degree sexual assault. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on or about August 22 in North Kingstown, according to the attorney general's office.
North Kingstown police confirmed that the alleged offenses took place while Harrison was on duty. The Rhode Island State Police investigated the allegations.
Harrison was released on personal recognizance, meaning he was released with a promise to appear at future court hearings. He is scheduled for a hearing on December 1.
North Kingstown police said Harrison resigned from the department on Tuesday. He had served as a North Kingstown police officer for approximately 18 months.
"The Department takes this matter extremely seriously," North Kingstown Police Chief John Urban said in a statement. "We have fully cooperated with RISP and the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office throughout the investigation, and will continue as this matter proceeds through the criminal justice system."
The case highlights ongoing concerns about accountability within local law enforcement agencies. Community members and oversight advocates have increasingly called for transparency in how departments handle allegations of misconduct involving officers, particularly when incidents occur while officers are on duty and entrusted with public safety.
Second-degree sexual assault is a felony in Rhode Island. A conviction can carry significant prison time.
The investigation was conducted by the Rhode Island State Police and referred to the attorney general's office for prosecution. Further details about the circumstances of the alleged assault have not been released.
Harrison's resignation came the same day as his arraignment, according to police. The department has not commented on whether any internal review will continue following his departure.
The case remains under prosecution by the attorney general's office, with the next court date set for December 1 in Washington County Superior Court.