R.I. Gen. Laws
Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-8 (2026)

Restraint and force used

✓ text as last checked Sept. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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No greater restraint than is necessary shall be used for the detention of any person, and no unnecessary or unreasonable force shall be used in making an arrest.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases, 1971–2008 · leading case: Ferreira v. City of East Providence, 568 F. Supp. 2d 197 (D.R.I. 2008).
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Ferreira v. City of East Providence, 568 F. Supp. 2d 197 (D.R.I. 2008). · cites it 2× “1971); R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-8. Because this privilege protects the officers unless and until their actions rise to the level of excessive or unjustified force, id.”
State v. Ramsdell, 285 A.2d 399 (R.I. 1971). · cites it 2× “Section 12-7-8 expresses the rule in the negative when it states that “no unnecessary or unreasonable force” shall be employed in making an arrest.”
State v. Hurteau, 810 A.2d 222 (R.I. 2002). “See § 12-7-8; see also Ramsdell, 109 R.I. at 326 , 285 A.”
State v. Gelinas, 417 A.2d 1381 (R.I. 1980). “If the jury believed that excessive force was not actually used, they had to reject defendant’s alleged defense and, on satisfaction of the other elements, return a guilty verdict.”
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