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Please note, a
redacted version of Attorney Kaplan’s report can be found here.
Good afternoon.
When I was sworn-in as Mayor, I pledged to bring transparency and accountability
to City Hall. I also promised to make space for those who felt unheard in
our city. Those commitments to the people of Boston have guided my
decision to release the findings of the investigation into Commissioner
Dennis White.
Dennis White was
installed as commissioner by the previous administration one business day
after his friend and previous Commissioner William Gross announced his
retirement. As quickly as he arrived, Commissioner White was placed on
administrative leave, after reports of a domestic violence restraining
order issued against him became public.
An independent
investigation into the allegations against Dennis White was recently
completed. In addition to the facts of his case, the investigation
revealed a culture of fear and silence within the Boston Police
Department.
Sworn police
officers refused to speak to investigators, frustrating efforts to uncover
the truth. What is often referred to as a blue wall of silence was
confirmed by one retired officer who said he received five phone calls
directing him not to cooperate with this investigation. Other officers
were intimidated into silence, for fear of retaliation.
This
investigation of Dennis White reveals a flawed process and a misguided
department culture. Dennis White’s admitted behavior does not reflect our
values. It is clear from the report that we have to move in a different
direction.
After reviewing
the findings of this investigation, I informed Dennis White I would hold
a hearing, in accordance with the statute. His attorney has filed
papers in court to stop this process.
The future
leadership of the Boston Police Department is an urgent matter, as we
move our city forward. But, I ask for our city’s patience as we await the
court’s ruling.
As Mayor, I am
committed to leading positive change and systemic reforms to bring
overdue transparency and accountability to policing in Boston.
The time has
come for us to turn away from the mistakes of the past and move toward a
more just and equitable Boston. I am implementing several measures to
reimagine the future of policing in our city.
I have asked
Shumeane Benford, Boston’s Chief of Emergency Management and Rev. Rahsaan
Hall to assemble a committee to set the stage for the future of the
Boston Police Department and realize our vision for safety, healing, and
justice.
The committee
will be composed of community residents, public safety advocates, and law
enforcement professionals who will lead a community engagement process to
define what Boston residents seek from leadership within our police
force.
To advance this
effort, I am addressing policies that govern the Boston Police Department,
starting with background checks. Going forward, all candidates for BPD
leadership, whether internal or external, will be subject to vetting and
background checks. The residents of Boston must have confidence that the
officers charged with enforcing our laws are themselves people of
integrity.
We will also
work to strengthen the BPD domestic violence policy. The current policy
is more than 15 years old. It is time to update these rules to reflect
what social science research has shown about domestic violence,
particularly the challenges faced by women of color and those abused by
police officers.
For the first
time, we will propose a sexual assault policy to govern our police force.
We must have practices and procedures that protect victims from police
intimidation and take into account the unique sensitivity of sexual
violence.
The Boston
Police Department will require steady leadership as we move
forward.
I am grateful
for Greg Long, who has graciously performed double duty as both Chief of
Police and Acting Commissioner. I want to thank Chief Long, and his
family, for their continued service to our city.
All of these
changes, taken together with ongoing reforms, such as a mental health
response pilot and the new Office of Police Accountability and
Transparency, begin a new chapter for the Boston Police Department and
for our city.
While more
challenges certainly lie ahead, we are moving Boston forward toward a
more just and equitable future.
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