PROVIDENCE, RI -- The state has suspended the Emergency Medical Technician license of a lieutenant in the Providence Fire Department after he allegedly punched a patient who had been brought to Rhode Island Hospital in a cruiser and was behaving belligerently.
Health Department Director Michael Fine announced on Friday that he had indefinitely suspended Lt. Anthony P. Toro's EMT license because of the incident, which occurred five months ago. Toro has a right to request a hearing.
According to the summary suspension, the police picked up a 35-year-old male patient who, while being taken to the hospital, "was banging his head around the cruiser and was kicking out at police while exiting the cruiser."
In the hospital, he continued to act in an "extremely combative" manner and at one point allegedly pushed Toro.Witnesses said Toro then hit the man's face and head several times with a closed fist.
Toro was appointed to the fire department in 1987.
.