Police Practices
The RI ACLU, along with more than a dozen other local organizations, is leading a campaign to bring attention to the critical problem of racial profiling in the state of Rhode Island. To coincide with this campaign, the Senate passed a resolution declaring the month of May “Racial Profiling Awareness Month.”
Court Cases
Court cases to hold the police accountable are an important part of the R.I. ACLU's work to protect the rights of individuals.
Legislation
For the 2010 session, the Affiliate has introduced a bill that would prohibit police departments from instituting ticket and arrest quotas for officers.
In 2009, the Affiliate fought against invasive police practices, political surveillance and racial profiling.
In 2008, the RI ACLU fought against "red-light cameras" and racial profiling.
Police Practices and Racial Profiling in the News
November 9, 2011 - ACLU Issues Statement on Police use of Infrared Technology in Burnside Park
August 3, 2011- RI ACLU Seeks Details on Phone Tracking of Rhode Islanders by State and Providence Police
February 22, 2011- Community and Youth Groups Call for Comprehensive Racial Profiling Bill
May 11, 2010 - ACLU Settles Suit Against Johnston Over Unlawful Release of Driver's License Information
December 4, 2009 - ACLU Sues Town of Johnston for Unlawful Release of Driver’s License Information to Public Official
July 23, 2009 - Groups Urge Federal Government to Reject State Police Request to Enforce Immigration Laws; Letter Cites Two Decades of Racial Profiling Statistics
June 30, 2009 -- ACLU Report to United Nations Documents Racial Profiling In Rhode Island and Across Country
December 31, 2008 -- ACLU To Appeal Dismissal of "Racial Profiling" Lawsuit Against State Police
September 13, 2007-- ACLU Files Open Records Lawsuit Against Providence Police Department Over Video Surveillance Policies
May 23, 2007 -- Judge Orders Release
May 3, 2007 -- ACLU Files Suit to Obtain Central Falls Police Shooting Records
January 8, 2007 -- ACLU Files "Racial Profiling" Lawsuit Against State Police for Illegal Detention of Guatemalans in I-95 Stop
January 4, 2007 -- ACLU Report Documents Continued Racial Profiling Problems in Rhode Island; Calls for Changes in Police Practices
November 30, 2006 -- ACLU Files Open Records Suit Against State Police to Obtain "Racial Profiling" Videotape
August 22, 2006 -- ACLU Calls for Moratorium on Police "Stun Gun" Use
May 26, 2006 -- RI ACLU Criticizes Smoke Shop Raid Ruling
November 14, 2005 -- Traffic Stop Statistics Document Both Racial Profiling and Poor Police Work, ACLU Report Concludes
September 21, 2005 -- Groups File Court Brief Challenging State Raid of Indian Smoke Shop
September 14, 2005 -- ACLU Criticizes Criminal Checks of Katrina Evacuees
August 8, 2005 -- Statistics on Traffic Stop Racial Profiling Show Backsliding, ACLU Report Finds
May 18, 2005 -- Rhode Island ACLU Files Request to Uncover Spy Documents After National ACLU Exposes FBI and Police Spying on Political Groups
May 16, 2005 -- ACLU Applauds Court Ruling on Police Liability for High Speed Chase
May 3, 2005 -- Police Departments Not Abiding By 2004 Law Against Racial Profiling, ACLU Report Finds
April 27, 2005 -- Groups Urge Swift Collection of Evidence in Carpio Arrest
March 31, 2005 -- Research Shows Racial Profiling Persists in RI Traffic Enforcement; ACLU Plans Response
February 3, 2005 -- Settlement Reached in Racial Profiling Claim Against Scituate Police
December 20, 2004 -- Providence Police Obtain Training Funds on Breaking Up "Civil Actions," ACLU Reveals
August 10, 2004 -- Court Rules that Trial Can Proceed in ACLU's Racial Profiling Suit Against Scituate Police
February 12, 2004 -- ACLU Calls For Change to Open Records Law in Response to Death of South Kingstown Man
January 5, 2004 -- ACLU Challenges Providence Appeal of Liability in Racial Profiling Case
November 25, 2003 -- ACLU Responds to Providence “Action Plan” on Racial Profiling
October 27, 2003 -- ACLU Seeks Contempt Order Against Providence Police Department in Suit Over Collection of Racial Profiling Data
September 29, 2003 -- ACLU Demands Continued Racial Profiling Data Collection by Providence Police Department
July 17, 2003 -- Appeal Filed in “Driving While Black” Lawsuit Against Westerly Police
July 15, 2003 -- Groups Condemn Police Raid of Narragansett Smoke Shop
July 1, 2003 -- Civil Rights Groups Respond to Racial Profiling Study
April 21, 2003 -- Supreme Court Orders Providence to Pay Costs, Attorneys Fees in Police Misconduct Open Records Case
January 31, 2003 -- ACLU Files Racial Profiling Lawsuit Against Scituate Police
Providence, RI 02903