Governor signs LEOBOR reform bill, a ‘step forward’ in police transparency

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A bill reforming LEOBOR, the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights, was officially signed by Governor McKee on Tuesday afternoon.

“Not everyone loves this legislation,” Speaker of the House Joseph Shekarchi said. “But everyone can live with it.”

LEOBOR sets the rules for police officers who are investigated for misconduct, which includes what information is and isn’t public during the disciplinary process.

Under the old law, any officer accused of misconduct was granted a hearing overseen by three active or retired police officers.

This new legislation now raises the number of people on that board to five, with the addition of a judge and attorney, and also allows police chiefs to provide comment as well as release video evidence.

“I think it is a positive step forward,” President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association Bradford Connor said. “It is going to allow the chiefs of police to be more transparent when we have major cases involving use of force or excessive force.”

However, some advocates are still not on board.

“Here we have a bill that is not being met to the standards of what the community is being asked,” Black Lives Matter Rhode Island PAC President Harrison Tuttle said. “It is extremely disappointing.”

“Unfortunately, as we continue to see cases of police brutality across the country and here in Rhode Island, it is a systemic issue,” Tuttle continued. “We are going to see the shortcomings.”

Despite some opposition, the governor believes this bill is effective for the state.

“Today’s bill delivers the transparency that has been called for,” McKee said.

The governor also added that police officers have one of the hardest jobs out there, saying this is a moment to bring the community and police together.