The New England First Amendment Coalition and its Access/RI partners are again asking for police body camera regulations to be reconsidered.
The groups wrote to the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General last year with a list of suggested changes, but most recommendations were not incorporated into recent policy revisions.
“Transparency is critical within law enforcement agencies, especially when there is an officer-involved shooting,” they explained in an Aug. 7 follow-up letter.
NEFAC and its partners have been calling for improved regulations for several years. Access/RI previously called for changes in 2022. NEFAC also independently submitted testimony on draft versions of the policy. Journalist and former NEFAC Board of Directors member Tim White testified on behalf of the coalition and emphasized the need for better public access to body camera footage. NEFAC also provided a detailed response to the draft policy in an Aug. 16, 2022 letter.
The groups again made policy recommendations on Sept. 30 of last year which included:
• Faster uploading of video by officers after their shift.
• Better documentation and explanations for any interruption in camera footage.
• Random audits of officer recordings and adherence to department policies.
• Increased transparency requirements when footage captures an incident where deadly force is used by an officer.
In its most recent letter, NEFAC and its partners pointed to the recent shooting in Pawtucket as an unfortunate reminder of why transparency is critical. As of Aug. 5, only footage of the aftermath of the shooting has been released and not of the shooting itself or the events leading up to the shooting. There also has not been released a written report by the officer involved. Worse, there appears to be a malfunction or deactivation of the involved officer’s camera resulting in an inexplicable gap in the video.
“In our Sept. 30, 2024, letter we stressed the importance that body-worn cameras provide for greater transparency and accountability in police work,” the groups wrote. “While we understand the formal deadline for comments has passed, we are again raising our concerns and asking you to reconsider them.”
NEFAC is the region’s leading advocate for the First Amendment and the public’s right to know about government. You can read all the coalition’s briefs and advocacy letters here. Want to learn more about the Rhode Island public records law? Start with our FOI Guide.
NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.
Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.
NEFAC appreciates the support of all its donors and contributors. In particular, we would like to recognize the Estate of Gloria L. Negri, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the following Leadership Circle donors: Rhode Island Foundation, The Boston Globe, Paul and Ann Sagan, and the Robertson Foundation. Major Supporters of NEFAC’s work include Hearst Connecticut Media Group, Boston University, the Academy of New England Journalists and WCVB-Boston.