AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS' BILL OF RIGHTS

This bill amends Rhode Island's existing Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights by renaming it the Law Enforcement Officers' Due Process, Accountability, and Transparency Act. It directly affects permanently employed police officers, state troopers, and other sworn law enforcement employees, excluding department chiefs and top-ranking administrators. The key provisions establish a new five-member hearing committee with a mix of judges, attorneys, and officers to review complaints against officers, while also mandating that legal fees for this committee be split evenly between the agency and the accused officer. Additionally, the law requires that investigations be conducted at reasonable hours, allows officers to have legal counsel present during interrogations, and ensures officers are fully informed of the specific complaints and names of complainants before questioning begins.