Police Commissioner Davis Resigns, Considering 'Several Offers'
BOSTON (CBS) - After seven years watching over the City of Boston, Police Commissioner Ed Davis is calling it quits. Davis says he has several offers but isn't sure where he'll end up.
Chief Correspondent Joe Shortsleeve says Davis was well-liked, though not without some controversy. Davis broke the news to Mayor Tom Menino on Saturday, although both men knew this day was coming.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports
Police Commissioner Davis Resigns, Considering 'Several Offers'
"It is time for me to try other things," said Davis. "I have some great opportunities. I have done everything I can here. I have accomplished more than I expected so I am very satisfied that it's time for me to leave."
With that Commissioner Edward Davis began the transition to new leadership in the Boston Police Department. Davis became a household name and gained national stature after the April Boston Marathon bombings that killed three people and wounded more than 260 others. He appeared before two Congressional committees in Washington to discuss ways to defeat terrorists. A police response he is very proud of.
"The truth is we could not have coordinated better. The partners I had during the 15th and the days afterword. I could not have hoped for better coordination, cooperation and communication."
Davis says after seven years it is time for a change. Mayor Menino, who did not attend the press conference, had kind words for his police commissioner.
"He has done a great job," said Menino. "He has lowered violent crime in the city of Boston over those years. Everyone has a time in government and Commissioner Davis has made a decision to leave sometime before January 6th."
Larry Ellison is glad Davis is leaving. His group, The Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers, says Davis did not do enough promote diversity.
"I think he really didn't include women and people of color as good as he could have when it came to promotions, transfers and access," said Ellison.
Davis says he is proud of his record. "My command staff that I promote personally is 42 percent people of color and diversity and I am proud of that record."
So what is he going to do? Davis says he is "leaning heavily" toward teaching at Harvard University but is considering other offers as well. And he has not ruled out the possibility of a federal job sometime in the future.
