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Lawsuit against Brown University sparks debate on campus police secrecy at private colleges
The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island argues Brown University police must comply with state public records law to ensure accountability and transparency.
- A lawsuit filed against Brown University challenges the secrecy of its campus police, who hold state-authorized police powers but deny public records requests for arrest reports.
- The lawsuit is motivated by private college police departments’ exemption from open records laws despite their power to detain and arrest, a loophole also noted in Massachusetts' ruling on Harvard's campus police.
- Former Brown officer Michael Greco criticized the department’s culture of secrecy aimed at protecting the university’s image, citing an incident in 2021 linked to his PTSD and calling for transparency reforms.
- ACLU executive director Steven Brown stated that private university police have the same arrest powers as public officers, and reporter Michael Bilow warned that withholding records risks creating a "secret police."
- This case raises important questions about policing transparency at private institutions and may pressure lawmakers to require these departments to comply with public records laws like those under the Clery Act.
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ACLU lawsuit challenges secrecy of Brown police records
Story highlights · ACLU lawsuit seeks access to Brown University police records · Journalists denied arrest reports are plaintiffs in the case · Most private colleges are exempt from public records laws A new lawsuit against Brown University has renewed questions surrounding the secrecy afforded many law enforcement officers employed by private colleges and universities The ACLU sues Brown University, arguing its police should comply with public…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources38
Leaning Left6Leaning Right1Center23Last UpdatedBias Distribution77% Center
Bias Distribution
- 77% of the sources are Center
77% Center
L 20%
C 77%
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