PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A Rhode Island special assistant attorney general was charged with willful trespass after a recorded confrontation with Newport police in which she repeatedly asked officers to turn off their body-worn cameras and invoked her position as a prosecutor, the Boston Globe reported.
Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Flanagan was charged following an incident on the night of Aug. 14 outside the Clarke Cooke House restaurant. According to a police report, officers responded around 9:51 p.m. to a call about an intoxicated woman refusing to leave the premises.
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Flanagan was present with the woman who was the subject of the call and allegedly refused to cooperate with officers.
Body-worn camera footage shows Flanagan requesting multiple times for officers to turn off their cameras, citing what she claimed was protocol when a citizen requests it.
“If I ask you to turn off the body cam, you have to turn it off,” Flanagan said in the video. Officers pushed back, saying no such requirement exists.
Flanagan also identified herself during the encounter, saying, “I’m an AG” and warning officers, “You’re going to regret this,” as she was placed in the back of a police cruiser.
The Attorney General’s Office clarified that Flanagan’s claims about camera policy were incorrect, noting the statewide policy allows camera deactivation only for victims or witnesses of crimes, not suspects or general citizen requests.
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Newport police policy also states officers may use discretion in locations where privacy is expected but do not require consent to record, according to the report.
Police wrote that Flanagan was uncooperative during the booking process, repeatedly mentioning her position and refusing to follow instructions.
The other woman with Flanagan was also arrested and charged with willful trespass, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Officers are seen in the video struggling to detain her during the incident.
Flanagan was issued a summons to appear in court. As of Monday, it was unclear whether she had obtained legal representation. She has not responded to requests for comment.
The Attorney General’s Office said it launched an internal review immediately following the incident and expects to conclude it within days.
