Warren police officer charged with cyberstalking

Warren police arrested one of their own Wednesday, when an officer was charged with cyberstalking and cyberharassing a 44-year-old Warren woman.

Citing the Police Officers’ Bill of Rights, Deputy Warren Police Chief Joseph Loiselle would not identify the officer. But the state’s criminal database has information that Randy Bryant, born in 1967, was arrested on May 10 on the misdemeanor charge, which falls under the state’s domestic violence statute.

The officer was arraigned before Warren Bail Commissioner Jay Rego Wednesday afternoon. Bail was set at $1,000, he was ordered to have no contact with the victim, and he is scheduled to be arraigned in Sixth Division District Court on May 19. The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the disposition of the case.

Deputy Chief Loiselle declined to release the officer's name, as well as a booking photo, citing Rhode Island General Law 42-28.6, The Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights. However, in matters of criminal conduct, the law states the following:

(12) No public statement shall be made prior to a decision being rendered by the hearing committee and no public statement shall be made if the officer is found innocent unless the officer requests a public statement; provided, however, that this subdivision shall not apply if the officer makes a public statement. The foregoing shall not preclude a law enforcement agency, in a criminal matter, from releasing information pertaining to criminal charges which have been filed against a law enforcement officer, the officer's status of employment and the identity of any administrative charges brought against said officer as a result of said criminal charges.