Rhode Island
LEOBOR reform is long overdue. Why the General Assembly needs to act | Opinion
Andrew Dunphy is a retired federal agent and a second-year law student at Roger Williams University School of Law. He is a fellow with the American Bar Association Police Practices Consortium.
Two recent cases involving police officers should cause state legislators to question whether the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights adequately serves its citizens. LEOBOR affords protections to officers accused of misconduct on duty, and at least 20 other states have versions of it.
The Rhode Island LEOBOR, among other provisions, limits how police misconduct information can be shared with the public and affords officers a hearing before a panel of active or retired police officers before any discipline greater than a two-day unpaid suspension can be imposed. Proponents view LEOBOR as necessary because of the stressful, split-second decisions officers are forced to make and the high stakes of those decisions. Critics say it shields police from accountability, protects them from meaningful discipline and places unnecessary restrictions on release of public information. Two recent Rhode Island cases exemplify their concerns.
More: Ex-RI state cop sues, saying he was wrongly fired amid mental-health crisis. What to know.
In 2018, a Woonsocket police officer was charged in Massachusetts with breaking and entering and assault with a dangerous weapon. In Massachusetts court, the officer admitted to the facts underlying those offenses. The court continued his case for a year, after which it agreed to drop the charges. Soon after the officer made his admissions in court, the City of Woonsocket terminated him. He appealed the termination, the panel of active and retired police officers sided with him, and a Rhode Island court found that Woonsocket violated the LEOBOR. In November 2023, the Woonsocket City Council agreed to pay the officer $500,000 to settle his legal claims against the city.
In 2021, an off-duty Pawtucket officer in his personal vehicle saw a teen speeding and followed him into a parking lot to have a “fatherly chat.” Not in uniform, the officer approached the vehicle with his weapon drawn. Afraid of an unknown man approaching with a gun, the teen backed away and allegedly bumped the officer with his car. The officer fired his weapon and struck the teen in the shoulder. Charged with assault with a deadly weapon, the officer testified during his trial that he fired in self-defense, and he was acquitted. Assistant Attorney General John Corrigan said the officer “was lying through his teeth” when he said he shot in self-defense.
In November 2023, the officer resigned from the Pawtucket Police Department as part of a negotiated settlement after the city paid him nearly $124,000. Acknowledging how unfair the decision appeared, Mayor Donald G. Grebien lamented that “going to LEOBOR” would likely have cost the city substantially more.
More: Providence police officer Lugo to keep his job despite efforts to terminate him
A number of other states are wrestling with the efficacy of LEOBOR laws. In 2021, Maryland became the first state to repeal its LEOBOR statute. Amid promises of LEOBOR reform, a proposal wound its way through the Rhode Island General Assembly early in 2023. Thought sensible reform by many, the bill nevertheless died in the House in June.
Law enforcement officers across the country serve honorably every day in an often dangerous and unpredictable environment. Mistakes can occur, and well-intentioned officers deserve protection. However, those who engage in criminal behavior are a blight on the profession and a danger to society. When LEOBOR protects them instead of holding them accountable, it has failed.
It’s time for the General Assembly to stop talking about LEOBOR reform and instead act on it.
Rhode Island
Exclusive | Not everyoneâs happy about Taylor Swiftâs MSG wedding, as Rhode Island residents are left at altarÂ
Not everyoneâs happy about Taylor Swiftâs marriage to Travis Kelce being at MSG
Reports previously speculated that Swift and her fiance were going to tie the knot on June 13 at the posh Ocean House hotel in tony Watch Hill, the Rhode Island, where Swift famously owns a home.
The “Shake It Off” singer even allegedly cut a major check to another bride-to-be who’d booked her wedding at the venue. But it was revealed that the pop star and the NFL star changed the location to accommodate more people… and are now getting hitched at the much less intimate Madison Square Garden.
You’d think that residents of Watch Hill would be relieved to avoid the attendant media circus and other headaches that would descend on the intimate enclave. But it turns out they’re bummed the nups won’t be in their proverbial backyard. In fact, more than one Watch Hill regular told us on Wednesday that they were disappointed Swift had changed venues.
The wedding would’ve also been a boon to the local economy, they said.
“Taylor has done a very good job of endearing herself here, and not being a jerk,” bluntly summed up a longtime Watch Hill habitué.
An insider added, “Taylor is a very good neighbor, and a very good member of the community. [She and her family] shop locally and go out of their way not to create problems — she has her own home with her own security. She’s really truly not an inconvenience to anyone.”
“In terms of the wedding, from a financial point of view, even the town next door, Westerly, they were going to get a little economic boom. Or at least a bump!” a source said.
As for the supposed previous wedding venue, “The local hotel, Ocean House, would make an enormous amount of money from the wedding,” said a source.
Then again, they added, “A regular room with the taxes goes right up against $2K a night. Thatâs like the regular room. Bottles of water are $18.”
Page Six has reported that Swift’s wedding will last 10 hours and include 1,000 guests!
On the wedding day, doors open for guests at 3:30 p.m., with cocktails beginning at 4 p.m. on the sixth-floor concourse at MSG. The ceremony will then start at 5:30 p.m. on the arena floor.
The night before, there will be a more intimate rehearsal dinner for just 100 guests at the arenaâs Infosys Theater on Thursday.
Some Watch Hill types were left wondering how their town, which one inhabitant described as being “two city blocks,” could have handled that influx.
“The real locals were just a little concerned about just having access to their lives… They thought the whole place was going to be shut, including the streets, and how would they get in and out, etc.”
Rhode Island
‘Real Housewives of Rhode Island’ star Liz McGraw exits show after one season
The latest “Real Housewives” franchise is already facing a casting shake up.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 01: Liz McGraw visits SiriusXM Studios on April 01, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
“Real Housewives of Rhode Island” star Liz McGraw announced she is leaving the show after one season.
“I am full of gratitude for the amazing opportunity to appear on this show,” she wrote on Instagram on Wednesday. “As filming for season 2 begins, I have made the decision to take a step back and focus on my family, my work and my passions.”
McGraw continued, “The RHORI cast is an amazing group of women who have created something special. I’ll be watching next season and rooting for the continued success of this franchise.”
“For now, I look forward to enjoying this little corner of the world from the other side of the camera,” she concluded.
Bravo’s Andy Cohen was already ready to invite McGraw back writing in the comments, “The door is always open. Just sayin’!”
McGraw recently became a grandmother, going by the nickname “Gigi” after her stepdaughter Brianna McGraw, who she shares with husband Gerry McGraw, welcomed a baby girl.
THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF RHODE ISLAND — Season:1 — Pictured: Liz McGraw — (Photo by: Bronson Farr/Bravo)
“She is just pure love,” McGraw said on a recent episode of “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island After Show.” “You feel that energy when she’s in your arms. Gerry’s addicted to it.”
She added, “We pop in, we pop out, we bring gifts, [and] we spoil.”
Ahead of the debut “RHORI” season, Ashley Iaconetti told PauseRewind’s Kevin Zelman, “On ‘Bachelor,’ it’s about love and drama and on ‘Housewives’ it’s a little bit more about drama, that’s the big difference for me. It was a totally different experience.”
Follow us on Instagram @WeArePauseRewind for all your pop culture obsessions.
Rhode Island
Christ on a Crackuh! Liz McGraw Is Leaving RHORI.
A one season wonder.
Photo: Clifton Prescod/Bravo
Knowing the history of successful Real Housewives shows, one could have assumed that Liz McGraw’s life was going to play out on TV for the next 20 years, à la Lisa Vanderpump or Vicki Gunvalson. This is, however, not the case. McGraw, one of the breakout stars of season one of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, is leaving after just one season, she revealed on Instagram today. “I’m full of gratitude for the amazing opportunity to appear on this show,” she wrote. “As filming for Season 2 begins, I have made the decision to take a step back and focus on my family, my work and my passions. The RHORI cast is an amazing group of women who have created something special. I’ll be watching next season, rooting for the continued success of this franchise. For now, I look forward to enjoying this little corner of the world from the other side of the camera.”
The so-called Weed Queen of Rhode Island was part of the glue that held the women of RHORI together. She knew the most cast members and would often counsel both sides of a fight. Throughout the season, she got into arguments with friends, including Kelsey Swanson, Jo-Ellen Tiberi, and Alicia Carmody. There is no confirmation as to why McGraw is leaving, but we know it was her choice. Real Housewives producer Andy Cohen commented, “The door is always open … Just sayin’!” on her going-away post. In the meantime, Jo-Ellen, you have even more show to carry.
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