RI Senate task force recommends granting police chiefs more leeway in disciplining officers
Published Wed Dec 23 2020 21:33:27 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
A state Senate task force is recommending that police chiefs be empowered to suspend officers without pay for up to 14 days.
by Sofia Rudin
The Rhode Island Senate task force charged with reviewing the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights on Wednesday finalized recommended changes to the law, which include altering the composition of disciplinary hearing panels, authorizing police chiefs to comment on investigations, and increasing public access to police personnel records.
“There was a balance during our deliberations whether to keep LEOBOR as is, to abolish it in its entirety, or to reform it. And the consensus reached was for reform,” said Sen. Harold Metts (D-Providence), who led the task force.