ACLU Sues Brown University Over Public Records Compliance

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A representation of the ongoing legal battle for transparency in university policing.

News Summary

The ACLU of Rhode Island has filed a lawsuit against Brown University’s Department of Public Safety for allegedly failing to comply with the state’s Access to Public Records Act. The case arises from denied requests for arrest reports by two journalists, who claim that the DPS should be bound by public record laws. The university defends its exemption status, but the ACLU argues for greater transparency in campus policing. This lawsuit highlights broader concerns about the accountability of private university police forces.

Providence, Rhode Island – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Rhode Island has initiated a lawsuit against Brown University’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) in response to allegations of non-compliance with the state’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA). The legal action, filed on a Monday, seeks a court ruling that would require the DPS to adhere to public record disclosure laws.

The lawsuit is brought on behalf of two journalists: Noble Brigham, a recent graduate of Brown University, and Michael Bilow, a reporter for Motif Magazine. Both journalists previously submitted requests to the DPS in 2022 and 2023 for arrest reports that are expected to be publicly accessible under APRA. In both instances, their requests were denied as the DPS claimed to be exempt from APRA due to its status as a private agency.

Brown University spokesperson Brian Clark indicated that the university had not yet received the lawsuit formally but expressed readiness to defend the DPS’s exemption status. He argued that the DPS’s limited jurisdiction, which covers only university property, and its cooperation with the Providence Police Department justified its claim to exemption from public records laws. Despite this, Clark noted that the DPS does provide public access to a daily police log, as well as annual crime statistics in accordance with the federal Clery Act.

The lawsuit came after both journalists filed complaints with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office regarding the DPS’s refusals, which led to a ruling in January 2025 declaring that the DPS was not subject to APRA. The ACLU, however, disagrees with this interpretation and asserts that the DPS functions as an “agency” under APRA, which encompasses any entity executing the role of a public agency. As part of the legal action, the ACLU is seeking a judicial determination that would classify DPS as a public body obligated to follow the APRA regulations, as well as a court order to compel the release of the requested arrest documents within ten days.

Concerns over the transparency of the DPS have also been highlighted by a former Brown police officer, who alleged that the department has made efforts to conceal information and manipulate public records. This further adds weight to the ACLU’s claims, underscoring a demand for accountability and transparency in campus policing.

Moving beyond individual cases, issues surrounding the DPS’s adherence to public records laws are part of broader questions related to the role of private university police forces in enforcing laws and their alignment with state transparency requirements. The ACLU of Rhode Island has asserted that the Brown police possess state-authorized policing powers, which obligate them to comply with the same standards of transparency expected of other law enforcement agencies.

Notably, recent events, such as the arrests of students during protests against the university’s investments linked to the Israel-Palestine conflict, have fueled demands for access to arrest reports and records. The desire for reform regarding Rhode Island’s public records law, which has not seen updates since 2012, is also underscored by the ongoing challenges faced by journalists and the public in obtaining information related to law enforcement activities.

In summary, the ACLU’s lawsuit against Brown University’s DPS signifies a critical moment for public transparency in university policing, highlighting significant legal definitions and responsibilities concerning public records. Both journalists involved have emphasized that transparency in campus policing is essential for public accountability, an issue that continues to resonate within the wider discourse on law enforcement procedures on college campuses.