Worcester residents demand change after scathing DOJ report on police department
WORCESTER - The Department of Justice report on the behavior and ethics of the Worcester Police Department has completely divided the city. A city council meeting Tuesday night was tense from the start.
Worcester City Hall was packed, both in and out of the chamber. The halls turned into a sort of melting pot for this cultural debate. Those supporting the police and those seeking accountability standing shoulder to shoulder.
The DOJ's two-year report released a week ago found Worcester police, "engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives people of rights." Including allegations of racism, excessive force, and the sexual assault of women under threat of arrest.
"When this happened, I just had to step up," said former Worcester police officer William Gardiner.
Gardiner says during his time on the force, he saw abuses of power. He spoke at Tuesday's meeting and was interviewed by the DOJ for the investigation.
"It's just not right," Gardiner told WBZ. "It's one of the greatest jobs in the world, actually if you do it right and they refused to let me do that."
Police union questions DOJ report
Leaders of the police union feel the report lacks specifics and transparency.
"To release such an irresponsible report to the public based on anonymous sources does nothing," Chris Ryan, president of the New England Police Benevolent Association said at the meeting.
The union wants the city to demand the DOJ release their full report, and question why, with such egregious accusations, the DOJ didn't charge any officers.
"What I asked the council to do is reserve judgement and allow police reform to continue to play out," Ryan said after the meeting. "It is working."
Earlier this week the city announced a new hotline for reporting police misconduct. City leaders are meeting with the DOJ on Wednesday. The mayor wants more information particularly on which officers are accused of sexual misconduct.