Statement from the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association on Statewide Body-Worn Camera Policy

“Body-worn cameras are an asset that provide transparency and accountability to Rhode Island’s police departments and the communities they serve. Rhode Island’s body-worn camera policy was developed by Rhode Island Department of Public Safety and the Office of the Attorney General in collaboration with the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association. All departments that accepted seed funding for their body-worn camera programs signed onto this policy.”

“We want to clarify that the statewide policy dictates that an officer may turn off their camera when speaking to a witness or a victim of crime. The policy does not allow for an officer to turn off their camera at the request of a suspect.”

- Chief Thomas F. Oates, III, President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association and Chief of Police, City of Woonsocket

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Cara Cromwell

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cara@cromwellpublicaffairs.com