Governor, Police Leaders, AG Back Senator Acosta Body Cam Bill

PROVIDENCE, RI — Sen. Jonathon Acosta (D-16, Pawtucket/Central Falls) was recognized today for his role in introducing legislation that would outfit all Rhode Island police officers with body cameras.

Speaking at a State House news conference where Gov. Dan McKee and others unveiled a coordinated effort to implement universal police body cameras in the state, Acosta spoke of the uneasy relationship between police officers and communities of color. At the same time, he said he was pleased to see police, lawmakers, and members of the community coming together to address that relationship.

"I've spent my life trying to navigate this paradox," said Acosta:

McKee, Attorney General Peter Nehrona, Sen. Pres. Dominick J. Ruggerio and House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi joined law enforcement leaders to voice their support for the legislation to be co-sponsored by Acosta and Rep. José Batista of Providence.

The bill, as requested by Neronha, is designed to equip around 1,700 uniformed patrol officers with body-worn cameras over the next 12 to 18 months. The Attorney General's Office began developing the plan last fall and worked with the Rhode Island Police Chief's Association and the state police. The initiative was part of the RIPCA's Twenty for 2020 Campaign, an effort to build the public's faith in its police departments.

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The initiative provides multi-year funding to all Rhode Island police departments to purchase and operate the cameras. Around $3 million per year in state funding is necessary to ensure that all departments can purchase and deploy the cameras for a 5-year, state-supported implementation period. The House Finance Committee will consider the funding commitment on Thursday night.

The legislation requires the development of statewide policies. The policies will be developed by the Attorney General's Office and the Department of Public Safety in consultation with RIPCA, community members, and other stakeholders.

The statewide policies will address body cameras usage, notice to the public, records retention, privacy protections, open records, and compliance monitoring. To be eligible for state funding, police departments will need to follow the statewide body-worn camera policies.

"I am pleased that, working with Governor McKee, Attorney General Neronha and Senate President Ruggerio, funding for a statewide body camera program is included in this year's budget and related legislation pertaining to the rollout will also be considered," said Shekarchi. "The use of body cameras provides accountability and transparency, which are very important in law enforcement, and also builds trust within our communities."

"The Rhode Island Police Chiefs' Association looks forward to working with our partners in the State Legislature, Attorney General's Office and Governor's Office on making sure this program is equitable, impactful and sustainable," said West Greenwich Police Chief Richard Ramsay, president of RIPCA.

RIPCA has designated a committee to work on the issue. The committee includes executive director Sid Wordell, Warwick Police Chief Bradford Connor, Narragansett Police Chief Sean Corrigan, and Little Compton Police Chief Scott Raynes.

Colonel James M. Manni, superintendent of Rhode Island State Police and director of the Department of Public Safety, said police body cameras are "a key tool for creating transparency, maintaining the public's trust, enhancing safety and increasing accountability for officers and members of the public alike."

The Providence and Newport Police Departments have already adopted body-worn camera programs.