BLM RI PAC Calls for immediate termination of Sgt. Joseph Hanley following miscarriage of justice in Providence Police misconduct case
"Providence must act decisively within the next 30 days to address this injustice, even within the constraints of the historically ineffective statutory framework of LEOBOR."
From a BLM RI APC press release:
Sgt. Joseph Hanley, a veteran police officer, was accused of assaulting a man he arrested on Tell Street in April 2020, just one month into a global pandemic. Video evidence shows Hanley kicking and punching Rishod Gore, kneeling on his neck area, and standing on his calves. Gore later testified during the trial that Hanley also kicked him in the head. For years, BLM RI PAC and the City of Providence have raised concerns about Hanley’s conduct—both criminally and in relation to his continued employment with the police department.
The disposition in the case of Sgt. Joseph Hanley reflects a profound dereliction of duty by the Rhode Island criminal justice system in holding law enforcement accountable for misconduct. Despite substantial concerns expressed by residents, community advocates, and representatives seeking justice for Rishod Gore, the Rhode Island Superior Court’s acceptance of a plea agreement—resulting in a mere sentence of one year of probation—constitutes a clear miscarriage of justice.
These concerns are further exacerbated by the persistent failure of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and State Senate to enact meaningful legislative measures to repeal the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBOR) from State law. This legislative inaction has brought us to this moment yet again.
Black Lives Matter Rhode Island Political Action Committee (BLM RI PAC) supports and urges Col. Oscar Perez, the Providence Police Department, and Mayor Brett Smiley to take all available legal and administrative measures to ensure the termination of Sgt. Joseph Hanley without severance or other compensatory benefits. The City of Providence must act decisively within the next 30 days to address this injustice, even within the constraints of the historically ineffective statutory framework of the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBOR).
The Black Lives Matter Rhode Island PAC (BLM RI PAC) is a political action committee created by young people of color in Rhode Island. They believe that representation is the best way for the government to serve the interests of its people. Right now, people of color are underrepresented across the state. BLM RI PAC seeks to change this by training, recruiting, supporting, and electing young people and people of color to offices up and down the ballot.