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S2292AViolent Crime Penalties

Criminal Offenses - Disarming a Peace Officer

This bill makes it a felony to take or attempt to take weapons or communication devices from police officers.

Introduced33 Yea5 Nay0 Not voting
Population
Affected
5
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Introduced Jan 23, 2026Committee Senate Judiciary

Plain-English Summary

This bill makes it a felony to take or attempt to take a weapon or communication device from a police officer or an investigator for the Attorney General. Restricted weapons include firearms, deadly weapons, and less-lethal items like Tasers, pepper spray, or batons. Communication devices include radios and mobile phones used for official duties. Anyone convicted of this crime can face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

For younger readers

This bill creates a new rule about how people must act around police officers. If someone tries to take a police officer's weapon, like a gun or a Taser, it is now considered a very serious crime called a felony. It is also a serious crime to try and take a police officer's radio or cell phone while they are working. If someone breaks this rule, they could go to jail for up to five years or have to pay a big fine of up to $5,000.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Police officersAttorney general investigatorsCriminal defendantsLaw enforcement agenciesThe judicial system
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

The phrase "attempt to deprive" regarding a "mobile communication device" could be vaguely interpreted, potentially raising due process concerns under the 14th Amendment if standardless enforcement occurs. For instance, an individual who accidentally knocks a phone out of an officer's hand might be unjustly charged. However, laws protecting peace officers' equipment are common and generally withstand constitutional scrutiny.

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
Amount unknown

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Protects the safety of the community and public servants by preventing unauthorized individuals from gaining control of dangerous weapons during altercations.
  • Specifically includes non-lethal weapons and communication devices, ensuring officers maintain access to tools that can de-escalate situations without resorting to lethal force.
  • Sets a clear legal boundary and specific penalties for disarming officers, which could prevent arbitrary or overly harsh charges under broader, more vague statutes like attempted murder.
  • Introduces a new felony charge that could disproportionately impact marginalized communities and individuals experiencing mental health crises who might act erratically during police encounters.
  • The inclusion of "attempt to remove" or taking a "mobile communication device" could be applied broadly or subjectively by police, potentially escalating minor scuffles into felony charges.
  • Increases potential incarceration time (up to five years) and imposes a heavy financial burden through a $5,000 fine, conflicting with progressive goals of criminal justice reform and reducing mass incarceration.
For Conservatives
  • Strongly supports law enforcement by establishing strict, felony-level penalties for anyone who interferes with an officer's ability to defend themselves or communicate.
  • Enhances public safety and the rule of law by deterring criminals from attempting to disarm or overpower police officers during arrests or confrontations.
  • Protects state property, such as weapons, radios, and communication devices, from being stolen, tampered with, or damaged by offenders.
  • Creates a new criminal statute and expands the criminal code rather than relying on existing laws regarding theft or assault on a police officer.
  • Broad definitions, such as attempting to deprive an officer of a mobile device, could infringe on personal liberties if citizens are over-penalized for minor altercations.
  • Creates a potential for increased taxpayer burden due to the costs associated with prosecuting and incarcerating individuals for up to five years under this new felony charge.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

2 versions
Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 8 additions

SECTION 1. Title 11 of the General Laws entitled "CRIMINAL OFFENSES" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 11-71-1. Disarming a peace officer. Any person who shall knowingly remove or attempt to remove a firearm, deadly weapon, or less-lethal weapon to include, but not limited to, any blunt impact, chemical or conducted energy device; or knowingly deprive or attempt to deprive the use of a mobile communication device or radio used in the performance of official duty, from the person of a peace officer as defined in § 12-7-21, or investigator of the department of attorney general appointed pursuant to § 42-9-8.1, shall be deemed to have committed a felony, and shall be punishable by up to five (5) years imprisonment and/or a five thousand dollar ($5,000) fine.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.