police abuse

Police unions have been wildly successful in watering down, if not outright killing, many police reform measures in state legislatures, even in the most liberal, Democratic-controlled states.

With the revelation that Boston police buried allegations that a former officer and police union head sexually assaulted children for more than 20 years, the city’s police department is facing unprecedented pressure for change.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts likes to be the national leader of social change. Just setting police standards would be a breakthrough.

Demonstrations sparked by a Kentucky grand jury’s refusal to indict officers in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor took over the streets of Roxbury, the South End and downtown Boston Friday evening through Sunday.

A crowd of more than 600 cyclists participated in the Ride for Black Lives, taking over city streets as they made their way from Franklin Park to the Boston Common.

Amid renewed scrutiny of the BPD’s $60 million overtime budget, some criminal defense attorneys are speaking out about court overtime abuses they have witnessed, including the delivery of documents and evidence that could have been safely emailed, saving time and thousands of taxpayer dollars.

The blue code of silence makes it possible for bad cops and bad administrators to get away and keep getting away with abusive acts.

George Floyd’s brutal death brought together a multi-racial cadre of visionaries. With continued collaboration we can achieve the desired social change.

The killing of George Floyd, and the many other reported incidents of people of color dying or being killed because of the actions of police officers or vigilantes has left us hurting, emotionally drained and dismayed.

Nationwide demands to defund local police departments have reached Boston. On June 10, the Boston City Council will decide whether or not to approve the $414 million allocated to Boston Police Department (BPD) for the upcoming fiscal year.