(a)  The director of the department of public safety in consultation with the attorney general shall promulgate rules and regulations, pursuant to chapter 35 of this title, to develop the criteria and manner in which funds are awarded to Rhode Island police departments under this chapter.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 42-161-4

  • Attorney general: means the attorney general of the state of Rhode Island, or designee;

    (2)  "Body-worn camera" means a video and audio recording device that is carried by, or worn on the body of, a law enforcement officer and that is capable of recording the actions and interactions of the officer and the public;

    (3)  "Director of the department of public safety" means the director of public safety appointed by the governor pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 42-161-2

  • Public safety grant administration office: means the public safety grant administration office as defined in chapter 26 of this title. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-161-2

(b)  The attorney general and the director of the department of public safety, in consultation with the Rhode Island police chiefs’ association, shall promulgate rules and regulations, pursuant to chapter 35 of this title, after holding a public hearing, to create a policy for the use and operation of body-worn cameras. This policy shall address at a minimum, but not be limited to:

(1)  Proper use of equipment;

(2)  Data and equipment security;

(3)  Activation and deactivation of cameras;

(4)  Notification to the public of recording;

(5)  Records retention procedures and timelines;

(6)  Access to data by law enforcement and the public;

(7)  Privacy protections, including redaction procedures; and

(8)  Compliance monitoring.

(c)  The public safety grant administration office shall condition the award of money under this chapter on the certification of a police chief, or highest ranking sworn member of a law enforcement agency, that the certifying chief’s department has adopted the policy referenced in subsection (b) of this section.

History of Section.
P.L. 2021, ch. 228, § 1, effective July 8, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 229, § 1, effective July 8, 2021.