Full Breakdown
Arrest of Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General Raises Questions on Conduct and Policy
8/22/2025, 7:40:07 AM
Incident Overview: Arrest of Devon Hogan Flanagan
On August 14, 2025, Devon Hogan Flanagan, a Special Assistant Attorney General in Rhode Island, was arrested outside the Clarke Cooke House restaurant in Newport for trespassing. Body camera footage from the Newport Police Department captured the incident, which began when officers responded to a report of an "unwanted party" shortly before 10 p.m. Flanagan, 34, was seen arguing with officers, demanding they turn off their body cameras, and repeatedly asserting her position as an assistant attorney general. She was charged with willful trespassing, while her companion, Veronica Hannan, faced additional charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Key Details of the Arrest
The body camera footage reveals Flanagan insisting that police protocol required officers to deactivate their cameras at her request. She stated, “I want you to turn your bodycam off. Protocol is that you turn it off if a citizen requests.” Newport Police Department policy, however, clarifies that officers may only turn off their cameras at the request of victims or witnesses, not suspects. As the situation escalated, Flanagan was handcuffed, during which she warned officers, “You’re gonna regret this.” Both women were ultimately placed in police cruisers after refusing to comply with officers' requests to leave the premises.
Official Responses and Consequences
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha publicly condemned Flanagan's behavior, stating that she had "embarrassed herself" and "humiliated" the office. He indicated that a review of the incident was underway and that Flanagan could face a "strong sanction," including a suspension without pay. Neronha emphasized the need for Flanagan to take responsibility for her actions, including issuing an apology to the Newport Police Department. He noted that Flanagan had watched the body camera footage and expressed remorse for her conduct.
Criticism and Policy Clarification
The incident has sparked discussions regarding the state's body camera policy. Chief Thomas F. Oates III, president of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, reiterated that officers are not required to turn off their cameras at the request of suspects. This clarification came in response to Flanagan's claims during the arrest. Neronha acknowledged that Flanagan's misunderstanding of the policy was "inexcusable" and highlighted the importance of adhering to established protocols.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While both Flanagan and Hannan were reported to have been intoxicated during the incident, the specifics of their behavior leading up to the police intervention remain unclear. Hannan's attorney stated that she had paid her bill at the restaurant before the confrontation, suggesting that the circumstances surrounding their removal from the premises may warrant further investigation.
What's Next
The Rhode Island Attorney General's Office is expected to conclude its review of the incident shortly. Depending on the findings, further disciplinary actions against Flanagan may be implemented, and the office will need to address the implications of this incident on its reputation and operations.
