Lawmakers propose changes to Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A bill that would amend the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights was heard at the state house Monday night.

Bill S 2718 proposed Sen. Ana Quezada (D-Dist. 2, Providence) calls for the expansion of a hearing board that would deal with internal issues and investigations within the department involved in a given case.

Bill S2718  would expand the hearing board to include less police presence.

The bill would also bring in outside members like a Roger Williams University School of Law dean and the chair of The Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights.

“Right now it’s the police who make their own investigation, it’s the police that make their own decision. A lot of time police do what they’re not supposed to do and that’s what this bill wants to change,” Quezada said.

According to executive director of The Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, police aren’t necessarily protesting their own in these matters.

However, he does agree that change is needed with the current board.

Changes that would include a police presence but not from the department in question.

“The chief wouldn’t have a pick on the hearing board, the officer wouldn’t have a pick on the hearing board, it would be three independent individuals with no connection to the case or the officers,” Wordell said.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will meet again Friday to make any final changes on the proposed bill.