Waukegan Cop Charged With Felony Over Assault On Handcuffed Suspect

WAUKEGAN, IL — A Waukegan police officer has been charged with official misconduct and battery after threw a handcuffed suspect to the ground last month, authorities said.

Richard Tabisz has been on administrative leave since the Dec. 14 incident, which senior police officials reported to prosecutors the following day.

According to police and prosecutors, officers called to a report of a fight at a home took a suspect into custody who had fled after he had committed a domestic battery and violated an order of protection

Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said there were up to seven officers on scene and the arrestee was being cooperative before Tabisz showed up as a transport officer.

"The situation was completely under control," Rinehart said. "Tabisz was not the arresting officer and threw the handcuffed civilian to the ground in the presence of several officers."

The suspect struck his head when thrown to the ground and was treated for a minor injury at an area hospital, authorities said.

Following the incident, officers who witnessed Tabisz’s actions Waukegan Police Department supervisory staff. Commanders reviewed body-worn camera footage and sent Tabisz home for the evening before later placing on administrative leave.

"Besides Tabisz, other officers on the scene acted very professionally throughout the encounter," said Rinehart, who thanked Waukegan Police Chief Edgar Navarro and Mayor Ann Taylor for their rapid response. "We will hold individuals accountable for breaking the law regardless of their profession."

The incident comes after former Waukegan Police Officer Dante Salinas was charged in 2022 with official misconduct and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm from an August 2019 incident. Salinas was also charged with second-degree murder in a separate incident involving the shooting of Marcellis Stinnette.

Rinehart said his office was reviewing all pending cases involving Tabisz in light of the charges. He also noted the importance of body camera footage in such incidents, highlighting the recent mandate for Illinois police departments of any size to implement body cameras by 2025.

Tabisz is due in court for a first appearance on Jan. 17.