A Lake County judge found a former Waukegan police officer guilty of misdemeanor reckless conduct, but acquitted him of felonies for injuring someone during an arrest, according to Lake County prosecutors.
Richard Tabisz, 43, was charged after, authorities said, he threw a handcuffed suspect to the ground, causing a head injury. Other officers witnessed the incident and reported it.
Tabisz was acquitted of felony official misconduct and a misdemeanor battery count after a bench trial, but Judge Mark Levitt ruled that the former officer was guilty of reckless conduct.
The incident took place in December 2023. Tabisz was dismissed from the department the following year.
“We cannot permit rogue police officers to harm civilians,” State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said. “Aside from hurting a fellow human being, these criminal actions undermine public trust in the system and are offensive to good police officers who protect the community every day.
“In this case, the victim was handcuffed, vulnerable, and unable to protect himself during the fall caused by the officer,” Rinehart said.
Waukegan police and city officials reported the incident to the State’s Attorney’s Office the day after it happened.
The victim did not appear in court to testify, despite being subpoenaed. Prosecutors built their case primarily from body-cam footage from officers.
Tabisz is scheduled to be sentenced in June.
