House of Representatives votes ‘yes’ on a bill that would reform LEOBOR

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island House of Representatives voted “yes” on a bill that would reform the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights.

LEOBOR determines what is and isn’t shared with the public when an officer is disciplined.

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

The new legislation would raise the number of people on that board to five, with the addition of a judge and attorney.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where it’s expected to get a similar reception.

Some advocates feel the bill didn’t go far enough, with an amendment proposed by the Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian-American and Pacific Islander caucuses that was shot down.

That amendment would have allowed police chiefs to fire officers who use deadly force in violation of department policy, without any additional process.