PROVIDENCE, RI — Arming or attempting to disarm a police officer in Rhode Island is now a felony offense.
A bill making it a felony to disarm, or attempt to disarm, a police officer was signed into law.
The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Louis P. DiPalma, D-Middletown, Little Compton, Newport and Tiverton, and state Rep. Earl A. Read III, D-Dist. 26, West Warwick, Coventry and Warwick.
“Disarming, or attempting to disarm, a law enforcement officer is about as serious and dangerous as a situation can get," DiPalma said in a media release.
"There need to be strict consequences for an action that poses such grave harm to law enforcement officers, civilians and to those engaged with the police at the time of the incident," DiPalma said.
“As a retired law enforcement officer, I can say that nothing is more dangerous or escalates a tense situation quicker than attempting to, or removing, a law enforcement officer’s firearm," Read said in the release.
"It’s extremely dangerous for the officer, for the perpetrator and for the surrounding public," Read said. "Such actions need to come with serious penalties to deter this behavior and this legislation accomplishes that."
The proposed law calls for "any person who knowingly removes or attempts to remove a firearm, deadly weapon, or less-lethal weapon, or knowingly deprives or attempts to deprive the use of a mobile communication device or radio used in the performance of official duty, from the person of a peace officer," or investigator of the attorney general's office to be charged with a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, according to the release.
The legislation now heads to Gov. Dan McKee for his consideration.
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