An Akron police officer has been acquitted on two counts of domestic violence, but was found guilty of disorderly conduct and unlawful restraint.
Tito Corral, a four-year police veteran, was on trial this week in Akron Municipal Court on two cases stemming from two separate domestic disputes with his girlfriend in May.
Corral was reassigned to desk duty while the case was pending, said his attorney, Brian Pierce.
City attorneys are in the process of determining the officer’s future with the department in light of the misdemeanor convictions. Police Chief James Nice said Wednesday that Corral, 32, would remain on light duty pending an internal investigation.
Part of that review will determine if the convictions on disorderly conduct are related to the domestic violence. If so, Corral would be unable to carry a firearm as an officer under federal law.
The internal review is expected to take at least a month. A recommendation on discipline, which could include termination, will be made by the chief based on the information gathered.
Nice said he believes the conviction alone would not preclude Corral from carrying a gun. However, he said any criminal conviction could be grounds for terminating an officer.
“I don’t think we’ll be obligated to let him go [under federal law],” Nice said. “But being convicted of a crime in and of itself is a violation of our policies and procedures.”
At the end of the trial late Tuesday afternoon, visiting Judge Marvin Shapiro acquitted Corral of two counts of domestic violence involving use of his department-issued handcuffs.
Corral said he used the handcuffs to restrain his 25-year-old girlfriend after she slapped him during an argument in their home May 15.
On May 5, the woman barricaded herself in a bedroom where the officer stored his firearms. Corral said he believed the woman was suicidal and used his pepper spray in an effort to get her out of the room.
Shapiro gave Corral a suspended jail sentenced, fined him $500 and ordered the officer to obtain anger-management counseling.
The Fraternal Order of Police, the union representing the officer, will work to keep Corral on the force, FOP President Paul Hlynsky said.
“We believe he will be OK,” he added.
Phil Trexler can be reached at 330-996-3717 or ptrexler@thebeaconjournal.com.