Prosecutor’s Confrontation with Police Over Body Camera Request

A prosecutor from Rhode Island was recorded demanding that Newport police officers turn off their body-worn cameras while she was being placed in a cruiser for alleged trespassing. She reportedly warned officers that they would “regret” their actions.

Officers responded to the Clarke Cooke House restaurant to handle reports of an “unwanted party,” where they encountered Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Hogan Flanagan and her friend Veronica Hannan. Bodycam footage shows Flanagan shouting threats and attempting to intimidate officers by referencing her professional title.

In the footage, Flanagan insists that officers disable their cameras under the pretext of a citizen request, despite the police policy stating that consent is not necessary for recording. She repeatedly asks the officers to leave the restaurant, and when asked if they could remove her, she declines, claiming she hasn’t been notified of trespassing.

Despite police urging her to leave peacefully, Flanagan and Hannan refused, with Hannan describing Flanagan as “a lawyer” who “knows” her rights. An officer pointed out that Flanagan was not respecting authority, leading to her being placed in a cruiser, with her shouting, “I’m an A—,” before the vehicle door was shut.

The Attorney General’s Office clarified that Flanagan’s request for police to turn off cameras does not align with statewide policy, which allows officers to decide whether to record when individuals object. The incident prompted an internal review, and Flanagan was later arraigned in court.

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office has yet to comment publicly on the incident.