Rhode Island § 45-42-2 - Emergency Police Power

§ 45-42-2. Nonemergency police power.

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, and consistent with the provisions of chapter 40.1 of this title entitled “Interlocal Contracting and Joint Enterprises,” the chiefs of police of any city or town or any police department of a higher education institution may enter into an agreement, which is subject to approval by the appropriate city or town council by adoption of a resolution in support of it or by approval by the president of the higher education institution, by which the chief may request that the other city, town, or higher education institution police force provide assistance in a nonemergency situation for all those police services prescribed by law within any portion of the jurisdiction of the city or town, or campus of the chief granting the authority.

(b) The officers responding to the request and agreement shall have the same authority, powers, duties, privileges, and immunities for jurisdictional purposes as a duly appointed police officer of the city, town, or higher education institution making the request.

(c) All wage and disability payments, pension, workers’ compensation claims, medical expenses, or other employment benefits will be the responsibility of the employing agency, unless the requesting agency is reimbursed for those costs from any other source. Each agency shall be responsible for the negligence of its employees to the extent specified by law.

(d) A copy of any agreement entered into pursuant to this section shall be provided to the superintendent of the Rhode Island state police.

(e) The governor shall have the authority to suspend an agreement entered into pursuant to this section upon a finding that the suspension is in the interest of public safety.