EDITORIAL: Kudos to Newport Police for Releasing Body Camera Footage

EDITORIAL: Kudos to Newport Police for Releasing Body Camera Footage

Give a tip of the hat to the Newport Police Department for immediately releasing hours of body camera and security video of the incident of the melee involving a wedding party that took place at Bowen’s Wharf.

Unlike a number of other police departments and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office, Newport responded immediately to an Access to Public Records Act request.

The significant amount of video provided the public with a glimpse into the chaos and the actions of all involved.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

These incidents are never easy and never perfect, but the immediate release of the video allows the public to see what took place. 

In many parts of the country, this is standard procedure. Too often in Rhode Island, law enforcement and the attorney general block the release, create distrust, and feed into false claims and assumptions.

Newport Police Chief Ryan Duffy and Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong deserve credit for creating a new policy of openness and transparency.

Let’s hope others follow suit.