§ 3-12-1. Duty of deputy sheriffs, town constables, and police officers — Action on taxpayer’s demand.
Members of the division of sheriffs, the city and town sergeants, town constables, officers, members of the town or city police, and members of the division of state police are empowered and it is made their duty to see that the provisions of this title and the rules and regulations made or authorized by the department of business regulation and the division of taxation are enforced within their counties, towns, and cities. It is their special duty to use their utmost efforts to repress and prevent crime by the suppression of unlicensed liquor shops, gambling places, and houses of ill fame, and they shall also do so on the request of any taxpayer of any town or city and may command aid in the execution of the authority conferred. Any officer within the above enumeration who willfully neglects or refuses to perform the duties imposed upon him or her by this section shall be fined not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) and be rendered ineligible again to be appointed to this position; provided, that the officer may after investigation, before taking any further action at the request of any taxpayer, demand that the taxpayer requesting him or her to act give a bond to secure to that officer reasonable compensation for his or her services and to protect him or her from all costs and damages that may arise from that action.
History of Section.P.L. 1933, ch. 2013, § 33; G.L. 1938, ch. 174, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 120; G.L. 1956, § 3-12-1; P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 36, § 13; P.L. 2012, ch. 324, § 9; P.L. 2015, ch. 260, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 275, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 3-12 - Enforcement of Title
Section 3-12-2. - Special constables not authorized to serve civil process.
Section 3-12-3. - Entry on licensed premises — Arrest without warrant — Evidence of unlawful sales.
Section 3-12-4. - Search warrants.
Section 3-12-5 - — 3-12-8. Repealed.
Section 3-12-9. - Forfeiture of goods held for unlawful sale.
Section 3-12-10. - Return of goods when forfeiture not adjudged.
Section 3-12-11. - Sentence of forfeiture — Appeal.
Section 3-12-12. - Destruction of forfeited beverages.
Section 3-12-13. - Disposition of forfeited beverages to institutions.
Section 3-12-14. - Disposition of forfeited vessels.
Section 3-12-15. - Fees in forfeiture proceedings.
Section 3-12-16. - Allegations in criminal proceedings.
Section 3-12-17. - Correction of defects in proceedings.
Section 3-12-18. - Negative allegations — Lawful sale as defense.
Section 3-12-19. - Officers not liable for costs.
Section 3-12-20. - Appeal from convictions.
Section 3-12-21. - Recognizance of witnesses on appeal.
Section 3-12-22. - Complainant’s attorney — Prosecution by attorney general.
Section 3-12-23. - Notice of conviction to department and local authorities.