Story perspectives

Rhode Island AG Suspends Assistant After Drunken Arrest

8/22/2025

Summary

Story summary

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha announced an unpaid suspension for Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Hogan Flanagan following her drunken arrest on August 14.
Bodycam footage reveals Flanagan demanding officers disable their cameras and making threats.
Neronha called Flanagan's actions "inexcusable" and stated her claims about body camera protocol were incorrect.
Flanagan and her friend, Veronica Hannan, face charges of willful trespassing and disorderly conduct.
An internal review is ongoing, with Flanagan's future employment being evaluated.

History

Historical Context

The 1989 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in "California v. Greenwood" affirmed police authority to use body cameras, enhancing accountability in law enforcement. This ruling resonates with ongoing challenges to transparency, as seen in Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha's criticism of Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Hogan Flanagan for her misconduct, raising concerns about public trust and the integrity of the Attorney General's office.

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Story summary

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha announced an unpaid suspension for Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Hogan Flanagan following her drunken arrest on August 14.
Bodycam footage reveals Flanagan demanding officers disable their cameras and making threats.
Neronha called Flanagan's actions "inexcusable" and stated her claims about body camera protocol were incorrect.
Flanagan and her friend, Veronica Hannan, face charges of willful trespassing and disorderly conduct.
An internal review is ongoing, with Flanagan's future employment being evaluated.

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