Around the time of George Floyd’s murder in the spring of 2020, Providence had its own incident that fueled protests and allegations of police brutality. Joseph Hanley, a Providence police sergeant, was filmed kicking a Black man, Rishod Gore, as he laid face down on the ground in handcuffs. Providence publicly announced it was firing […]
LEOBOR
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local
Providence appeals decision to reinstate embattled police sergeant
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley’s administration asked a judge Thursday to allow the city to fire an embattled police sergeant who was filmed kicking and punching a handcuffed man five years ago. In June, a panel of law enforcement officers said Sgt. Joseph Hanley violated the city’s misconduct policy in the 2020 assault of Rishod Gore. […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
Why is Rhode Island the last state in the nation to embrace police reforms to prevent ‘wandering officers’?
More than two decades ago, a high-profile government study recommended that Rhode Island strengthen the power of the commission that oversees most police officers in the state. Today, despite repeated efforts in the state legislature, that commission still lacks the ability to strip police training certifications when officers violate certain rules, leaving Rhode Island as […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Politics, The Weekly Catch
For some lawmakers, LEOBOR reform doesn’t do enough to address police misconduct
The death of George Floyd in 2020 shined a light on the issue of police misconduct and use of force. Here in Rhode Island, there’s been an effort to reshape how we deal with this problem by changing LEOBOR – the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights. This week, Gov. McKee signed into law a bill that marks the first reforms to LEOBOR since its creation in 1976. But some believe it doesn’t go far enough. Also, attempts to reform the state’s Coastal Resources Management Council failed again this legislative session. And we meet artist Bob Dilworth, whose brilliantly textured and colorful paintings earned him a Pell Award this week from Trinity Rep. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
Overhaul of measure governing police discipline signed into law
The first major overhaul of a controversial 48-year-old measure governing internal discipline of police in Rhode Island was signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Dan McKee. The Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights — blamed by critics for inhibiting appropriate management of police who engage in misconduct — has defied changes for decades. But the […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for June 7, 2024
A blessing to all who spend quality time in the sweltering RI House chamber for the budget vote. You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for May 17, 2024
Time to get down to brass tacks with the budget. You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** STORY OF THE WEEK: In a sure sign […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
Transparency debated in new LEOBOR bill
Does the bill passed last week by the Rhode Island House of Representatives that would change the police bill of rights, known as LEOBOR, mark a setback for transparency in government? It depends who you ask. In a web posting Monday, the New England First Amendment Coalition and affiliated groups say the bill would keep […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for May 10, 2024
If April showers bring May flowers, what do May showers bring? You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** STORY OF THE WEEK: Rhode Island House […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
Rhode Island House Majority Leader Chris Blazejewski on the housing crisis, state revenue, pensions and more
Rhode Island has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to address the state’s housing crisis. Despite that, there are few tangible signs of progress so far, and there’s pushback from some cities and towns and even from some Democratic lawmakers. At the same time, the gusher of federal COVID aid that enabled consecutive state budget surpluses has dried up. Because of that, large deficits once again loom ahead in future fiscal years. And Rhode Island continues to struggle with issues like underperforming schools and the quest for a more vibrant economy. So what will it take to make more progress on key issues like the housing crisis and the state’s fiscal outlook? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with the number two official in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, Majority Leader Christopher Blazejewski.
