A suspended Harrison police officer was arrested late Wednesday for allegedly harassing his ex-girlfriend.

Officer Ralph Tancredi's attorney, Jonathan Lovett, said his client's arrest and the subsequent charge is a retaliatory move from the department for a previous lawsuit.

Sources told News 12 Westchester that Tancredi, a father of two, who is also a 10-year veteran and the Harrison PBA president, confronted his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend outside of a restaurant. The trio got into an argument before Tancredi allegedly grabbed the woman's arm, an allegation Lovett denied.

"When somebody threatens a police officer with a baseball bat that's been sawed off, it's kind of serious," Lovett said. "And when the police come in and seize the bat and charge the cop, it's upside down and backwards."

Lovett said Tancredi's arrest is retaliation for a lawsuit filed in February. He and other officers sued on civil rights grounds after discovering a hidden camera in the men's locker room at the department. Harrison police officials said the camera was installed to combat a rash of vandalism.

Tancredi spent three hours in police custody and was released with an appearance ticket. An order of protection was filed on behalf of the ex-girlfriend and new boyfriend, and Tancredi is scheduled to be in court August 17.

Tancredi has been suspended for six weeks after being involved in a bar fight.