A Rhode Island prosecutor is currently under review following an incident captured on police body camera footage during her arrest. Devon Flanagan, a special assistant attorney general, was taken into custody by Newport police on August 14 for trespassing outside a local restaurant.
The body camera footage, made available by the police department, reveals Flanagan's repeated requests for the officer to turn off his camera, alongside her insistence, "I'm an AG." The encounter escalated when the officers approached an individual at the restaurant, inquiring if they'd like them to trespass Flanagan and her companions. The individual responded affirmatively, leading to Flanagan’s arrest.
In the footage, when officers informed Flanagan that she was trespassing, she contested the claim, stating, "We’re not trespassing, you haven't notified us that we're trespassing." The officer reiterated, "What did I just say to you? You’re trespassing." Despite her protests, which included her declaration of being an assistant attorney general, the officers moved forward with the arrest.
As Flanagan was placed in the patrol vehicle, she issued a warning to the officer, saying, "Buddy, you're gonna regret this. You're gonna regret it." This remark, along with her actions during the arrest, has drawn significant attention to the incident.
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General's office, Flanagan has been with the state's legal team for nearly seven years, currently serving in the criminal division's appellate unit. A spokesperson from the office stated that they are reviewing the incident but refrained from offering further comments due to personnel policies.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha spoke about the incident during a recent interview, indicating that Flanagan plans to take steps to address her behavior, which will include an apology to the Newport police. However, he mentioned that no disciplinary decisions had been made yet. Neronha expressed disappointment over the situation, saying, “She’s embarrassed herself, humiliated herself, treated the Newport Police Department horribly.” He added that Flanagan's actions put him in a difficult position, stating, “I’ve got 110 lawyers. She embarrassed all of them, in a sense.”
The incident has sparked discussions about the conduct of legal professionals and the consequences of their actions, particularly when interacting with law enforcement. The review of Flanagan's conduct by the Attorney General's office will determine the appropriate course of action moving forward.
