2021 -- H 5290

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- STATE POLICE--DIVERSITY

     Introduced By: Representatives Williams, Vella-Wilkinson, Alzate, Batista, and Giraldo

     Date Introduced: January 29, 2021

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 42-28-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-28 entitled "State Police"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-28-4. Composition of division.

     (a) There shall be a division of state police consisting of the following members: a

superintendent who shall have the rank of full colonel; as many captains as the superintendent shall

deem necessary, two lieutenant colonels, three majors; as many lieutenants as the superintendent

shall deem necessary; and such other personnel, the number and rank of whom shall be designated

by the superintendent, and the general assembly shall annually appropriate such sum as it may deem

necessary for the payment of the salaries of the members of the division. The member of the Rhode

Island state police who shall be assigned by the superintendent to execute the duties of deputy

superintendent shall have the rank of lieutenant colonel.

     (b) The ranks of the division of state police shall reflect the diversity of the community

which it serves. The superintendent of state police shall conduct a vigorous effort to recruit persons

of color to the Rhode Island state police training academy and shall utilize all forms of media in

this effort including, but not limited to, print and electronic media, radio, and television. The

recruitment effort required by this section shall include dissemination of information relating to the

selection and training process for admission to the Rhode Island state police training academy.

     (c) Beginning June 30, 2021, at least two (2) in every five (5) recruits attending the Rhode

Island state police training academy shall be persons of color.

     (d) Beginning June 30, 2022, at least two (2) in every five (5) new appointments to be

members of the state police shall be persons of color.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- STATE POLICE--DIVERSITY

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     This act would require that beginning June 30, 2021, at least two (2) in every five (5)

recruits to the Rhode Island State Police Training Academy be a person of color and beginning

June 30, 2022, at least two (2) in every five (5) new appointments to the Rhode Island state police

be a person of color. The act would also require the superintendent to conduct a vigorous effort to

recruit persons of color to the Rhode Island state police training academy.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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