Summary of Rulemaking Action: These rules and regulations are promulgated to set forth thestatewide policy for the use and operation of body-worn cameras. The policy isintended to govern Rhode Island law enforcement agencies using and operatingbody-worn cameras in connection with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 42-161, theStatewide Body-Worn Camera Program.

Additional Information and Comments: All interested parties are invited to request additional information or submit written or oral comments concerning the proposed adoption until August 18, 2022 by contacting the appropriate party at the address listed below:

Major Laurie Ludovici
Department of Public Safety
311 Danielson Pike
Scituate, RI 02857
rulesregs@risp.gov

Public Hearing:
A public hearing, in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-2.5, to consider the proposed adoption shall be held at which time and place all persons interested therein will be heard. This hearing is subject to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 42-46, Open Meetings.

Public Hearing Information:
Date: August 3, 2022
Time: 5:00 P.M.
Location: 150 South Main Street Providence, RI, 02903

The seating capacity of the room will be enforced and, therefore, the number of persons participating in the hearing may be limited at any given time by the hearing officer in order to comply with safety and fire codes.

The place of the public hearing is accessible to individuals with disabilities. If communication assistance (readers/interpreters/captioners) is needed, or any other accommodation to ensure equal participation, please call 401-274-4400 or RI Relay 711 at least three (3) business days prior to the meeting so arrangements can be made to provide such assistance at no cost to the person requesting. For questions regarding available parking, please contact the agency staff person listed above.

Regulatory Analysis Summary and Supporting Documentation:
The policy at the center of the proposed rule is anticipated to generate significant, long-term public health, safety, welfare, and economic benefits for the State of Rhode Island and its residents. These substantive benefits for Rhode Islanders and the State stemming from the policy include: creating consistency in public safety policy and setting public expectations for police, advancing the protection of important constitutional rights, ensuring important interactions between law enforcement and members of the public are documented, and building important public trust in government. There are also modest costs associated with local and state police agencies participating in the Statewide Body-worn Camera Program and adopting the policy, specifically related to video review for auditing and compliance; and video review, redaction, and processing for open records requests and civil and criminal discovery.
The Attorney General and the Department of Public Safety, in consultation with the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association, have developed the Policy to achieve the maximum potential benefit to the State of Rhode Island through the Statewide Body-worn Camera Program and the funding appropriated for its use. The primary goals of the program are to promote the widespread adoption of body-worn cameras—key accountability and law enforcement tools that are an unbiased witnesses to law enforcement actions and help build community trust while providing prosecutors with critical evidence—and ensuring the effective use and operation of the cameras. As drafted, the AttorneyGeneral and the Department of Public Safety believe the policy will achieve these goals, providing long-term health, safety, welfare, and economic benefit to the State of Rhode Island.
The Attorney General and the Department of Public Safety have determined that the benefits of the proposed rule justify the costs of the proposed rule and that the proposed rule will achieve the objectives of the authorizing legislation in a more cost-effective manner, or with greater net benefits, than other regulatory alternatives.

For full regulatory analysis or supporting documentation contact the agency staff person listed above.