PROVIDENCE (AP) – The Rhode Island Attorney General has assembled a special team of four investigators to handle civil rights complaints that reach the office.
Attorney General Peter Neronha said Thursday the team would investigate cases such as police misconduct or hate crimes.
The team, made up of three seasoned law enforcement agencies and the Office’s civil rights attorney, will gain more expertise in civil rights and violations of the law to ensure an accurate and consistent investigation.
Neronha stressed the importance of the perspective of the Office’s civil rights attorney, Keith Hoffman, who has traditionally handled complaints that are not prosecuted.
“Getting the perspective of someone who doesn’t work with police officers on a daily basis is, in my opinion, a model that can really help,” said Neronha. “It brings someone into these cases who can test us: are we seeing this correctly? Is that really what we think? “
Neronha’s plan also recommends that local police agencies designate a “Hate Crime and Civil Rights Liaison” to work with the team and share information and training with officers.
“We believe these cases are really important and we want to get them right. Getting it right may require a fee or it may be the right thing if you don’t top up. (But) the message is that this is a priority area for us, ”Neronha said.
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