ACLU Sues Brown University Over DPS Arrest Record Access

Lawsuit aims to force university to release public records under state law

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:06am

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A cinematic painting of a lone campus police vehicle parked on a dimly lit urban street, the vehicle's shape and shadows conveying a sense of solitude and mystery around the actions of private university law enforcement.The legal battle over public access to records from Brown's private police force exposes tensions over transparency and accountability at private universities.Providence Today

The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island has filed a lawsuit against Brown University, challenging the school's refusal to release arrest records from its Department of Public Safety under the state's Access to Public Records Act. The ACLU is representing two journalists who were denied access to DPS records, arguing that the department should be subject to the same public records laws as a regular police department.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tension between universities' desire for privacy and the public's right to access information about law enforcement activities on campus. The outcome could set an important precedent for how private universities handle public records requests related to campus police departments.

The details

The lawsuit was filed in June 2025 after Brown denied requests from two journalists - Noble Brigham, a former Brown Herald staff writer, and Michael Bilow of Motif Magazine - for DPS arrest records. Brown has argued that DPS is a private entity not subject to the state's public records law, but the ACLU contends that DPS, which has arrest powers, should be treated the same as a regular police department.

  • The lawsuit was filed by the ACLU in June 2025.
  • Brown filed a motion to dismiss the case in August 2025.
  • A Rhode Island Superior Court judge denied Brown's motion to dismiss on March 24, 2026.

The players

ACLU of Rhode Island

A civil liberties organization that filed the lawsuit on behalf of two journalists seeking access to Brown DPS arrest records.

Brown University

The private university that operates the Department of Public Safety and has refused to release arrest records to the public.

Noble Brigham

A former staff writer for The Brown Herald who requested DPS arrest records and was denied.

Michael Bilow

A journalist for Motif Magazine who also requested DPS arrest records and was denied.

Peter Neronha

The Rhode Island Attorney General who ruled that DPS did not violate the state's public records law because it is a private entity.

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What they’re saying

“The idea that these individuals, who have arrest powers (and) the power to use deadly force, somehow are not subject to the key provisions of the open records law just seems outrageous to us.”

— Steven Brown, Executive Director, ACLU of Rhode Island

“This court's decision appears to reflect its interest in hearing further arguments, and Brown looks forward to presenting its case as this matter proceeds in the months ahead.”

— Brian Clark, University Spokesperson

What’s next

The case will continue to be litigated in the Rhode Island Superior Court, with Brown University expected to present its arguments for why DPS should be exempt from the state's public records law.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing debate over transparency and accountability at private universities, where campus police departments often operate with less public oversight than their municipal counterparts. The outcome could set an important precedent for public access to records at other private institutions with law enforcement powers.