It depends. Running from police in Rhode Island can support a resisting arrest charge when the officer was attempting a lawful arrest and the running was specifically intended to prevent that arrest. However, fleeing from a police stop that has not escalated to arrest may be charged differently (eluding a police officer, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-4.1, for vehicle fleeing). Running before the officer has indicated intent to arrest is also not always resisting. Defense work often focuses on the specific sequence of events: when did the officer attempt arrest, what verbal commands were given, and what did the defendant know about the officer's intent.
