Rhode Island General Laws Title 28. Labor and Labor Relations § 28-10-13.1. Police and fire services

(a) Recognizing that police and fire services provided by a municipality during a labor dispute are a public function, and recognizing further the need to secure the rights and safety of all parties to a labor dispute and the rights and safety of the general public, it shall be unlawful for any municipality, agent, servant, or employee of a municipality within the state to accept directly or indirectly from any person, partnership, firm, corporation, or labor union, or any of their officers or agents, involved in a labor strike or lockout compensation or reimbursement for any expense including salaries incurred by the person, partnership, firm, corporation, or labor union, or any of their officers or agents, in connection with the providing of police or fire services during a labor strike or lockout and in connection with the strike or lock out.

(b) For the purposes of this section, an off-duty police officer shall be considered an employee of a municipality within the state. Private security guard services provided by off-duty police officers shall be considered police services that are a function of the municipality and therefore prohibited under this chapter.

(c) It shall also be a violation of this chapter for an employer to compensate any municipality, agent, servant, or employee of a municipality for private security guard services.