Brown Police Chief Rodney Chatman will officially separate from the University as part of an approved settlement proposal, Chief Judge Robert Ferrieri announced in Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Court Tuesday morning.
Chatman, who has also served as Brown’s vice president for public safety, was on administrative leave following the Dec. 13 shooting. He was replaced in the interim by Hugh Clements, the former chief of the Providence Police Department.
Ferrieri described the agreement as an “amicable separation.” Testifying in court at around 10:55 a.m., Chatman affirmed that the settlement means he has no job to return to at Brown.
The news of Chatman’s permanent departure comes after his tenure was marked by votes of no confidence from two separate police unions. A Herald investigation also revealed allegations of a toxic work environment in the Department of Public Safety under Chatman’s leadership. A subsequent investigation unearthed further allegations that department leaders mishandled responses to bomb and shooting threats.
When reached after the hearing, Chatman declined to comment on the approved settlement proposal. In a phone call, a representative for Gregory Boyer, Chatman’s lawyer, declined to comment.
The University declined to comment on the settlement. In a Tuesday afternoon email, University Spokesperson Brian Clark noted that updates about DPS leadership would be shared directly with the Brown community.
In a statement sent to The Herald shortly after 9 a.m., Clark wrote that the University did “not consider it appropriate to share details on personnel matters and have no further details to provide.”
He confirmed that, at that time, Chatman was still employed by Brown and was on administrative leave.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
James Libresco and Emily Feil reported from the Garrahy Judicial Complex.
James Libresco is a senior staff writer covering staff & student labor. He is a first-year student from Alexandria, Va. studying political science and contemplative studies. In his free time, he can be found playing basketball, meditating, or losing in Among Us.
Emily Feil is a university news and metro editor covering staff & student labor and RISD. She is from Long Beach, NY and plans to concentrate in English and international & public affairs. In her free time, she can be found watching bad TV and reading good books.
