South Kingstown council approves updates to police standing orders, rescinds baton policy

At a public hearing on Aug. 13 South Kingstown Police Chief Moynihan presented proposed revisions to four standing orders governing department practice. He said the changes are primarily editorial but include several substantive clarifications: the policies consolidate definitions (including choke holds and neck restraints), specify documentation procedures for issuance of shotguns, retitle OC-spray policy language from "use of force" to "response to resistance," and clarify weapons and ammunition rules for off-duty personnel.

Chief Moynihan also told the council the department will rescind its baton standing order because officers no longer carry batons as part of their duty equipment. He said that change will be reflected across policy documents. The chief described uniform changes that add a class C polo shirt for detective duty, reflective vests for traffic details, and grooming/tattoo/jewelry guidance.

Council members asked for clarification on choke holds and neck restraints; the chief said those tactics are prohibited and were already defined in existing policy but are now consolidated in one section. After a brief public-hearing period with no speakers, the council moved to approve item 8B and adopted the standing-order amendments by voice vote.

The town solicitor reminded the council that the charter requires the council to adopt police rules and regulations and that this process is the mechanism by which department-level policy changes come before the governing body. The council approved the revisions without further amendment.