Narragansett police release body cam footage of alleged assault on officer

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — Cody Calkins, one of two URI students accused of assaulting police officers on the night of September 6th, appeared in front of a judge Tuesday after being released earlier this month.

Calkins pleaded not guilty and will next appear in court on October 1.

The other student, Jake Dignam, is still waiting to be arraigned.

Police released body camera footage of the incident, which shows officers approaching a house party on the night of September 6th.

As officers make their way around the home, dozens of students are seen playing music and partying, when officers ask people to leave the party.

Another officer out front shows a view of students exiting the party, asking them to keep things down.

When that officer calls for a student to show their ID, a student identified as Jake Dignam, reacts to the officer, and chaos ensues.

Police reports say the officer attempted to stop Dignam from getting closer when they reacted aggressively, and the officer attempted to place him in custody.

While attempting to make the arrest, another student, identified as Cody Calkins, pulls the officer back and off balance, with police saying Calkins attempted to grab the officer’s gun.

The officer is then seen grabbing pepper spray and aiming it at the crowd.

The body cam shows another officer attempting to wake Calkins, who had fallen unconscious during the interaction.

Calkins is facing counts of simple assault, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstructing a police officer.

A larceny charge was dropped before Calkins’ arraignment.

Dignam will be arraigned on September 24th.