Rotary Senate passes bill for body-worn camera program

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Under an amendment added by the House Finance Committee last week, the budget bill considered by the House on Thursday includes $ 15 million for the statewide launch of the program and its five first years of operation. The program will also be funded by $ 1 million from the Attorney General’s asset forfeiture fund. State Police Col. James Manni is also seeking federal grants from the US Department of Justice.

The legislation, sponsored by Central Falls Senator Jonathon Acosta and Providence Representative José Batista, sets out how the program will be funded and will require a statewide policy regarding the use of body-worn cameras.

The program was put in place after a year of protests and civil unrest nationwide and in Rhode Island against racial justice and police brutality, much of it documented by the cellphones of passers-by and body cameras of people. officers.

On Wednesday alone, an off-duty Pawtucket officer shot and injured a teenage driver outside a pizzeria in West Greenwich. Officer Dan Dolan Jr. is on leave while police and the Attorney General’s office investigate. The incident was caught on the pizzeria’s surveillance camera.

Acosta spoke about the fractured relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve. “We are increasingly aware that this is a relationship that needs to be mended and that part of it is the proliferation of technology, camera phones and body cameras,” he said. -he declares.

Years ago, body-worn cameras were considered too expensive, law enforcement was reluctant to sign, and communities were skeptical that the videos would make a difference, Acosta said. Now police and the public see the value of cameras in mending relationships and building trust.

“The work that needs to be done between communities and law enforcement is a long road, but we know it is a step, at least for now, that all parties are ready to take,” said Acosta.

Senator Leonidas Raptakis, who represents Coventry, East Greenwich and West Greenwich, said the Senate should fully fund the program after five years of funding end. “It sends a strong message that is great legislation and good public policy for all Rhode Islanders,” he said.

Some senators said the videos will show that a majority of officers are doing a good job.

Senator Joshua Miller, who represents a district straddling Cranston and Providence, said he saw the value of the body worn camera program at the Providence Police Department. As a member of the Providence Police Advisory Board, Miller said, he and other members see videos of some incidents the police have encountered.

The videos convinced him that the legislation will protect citizens as well as officers doing their jobs well.

Last week, Miller said, the council saw videos of officers responding to neighborhood complaints about a homeless settlement in Elmwood.

“For each person we met, the compassion was tremendous,” Miller said, adding that the videos from the encounter at the camp could be used as a nationwide training tool on how to handle similar situations.

This is why Republican Senator Jessica de la Cruz has said she supports the bill. “Not because I think the police have issues with police brutality,” said de la Cruz, who represents Burrillville, Glocester and North Smithfield. “I think this is a good bill to support because it will highlight how great our police force is. “


Amanda Milkovits can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @AmandaMilkovits.

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