Medford Residents Demand Change Following Complaint Against Police

MEDFORD, MA — A group of Medford residents are demanding changes following a racial profiling complaint filed against the Medford Police Department.

Our Revolution Medford, a local grassroots movement, has written a letter asking Mayor Lungo-Koehn to issue a public apology and spearhead systemic reforms in the city.

“Today, over 300 supporters and five community organizations will deliver a letter to Mayor Lungo-Koehn regarding the recent complaint filed against the Medford Police Department,” Our Revolution Medford said in a statement. "The complaint alleges two Black students from Medford were stopped last summer in the Winthrop Street rotary, ordered out of their car at gunpoint, handcuffed, searched, had their car searched, and then were released without any further explanation. Attempts to obtain a police report were unsuccessful despite the police blotter item indicating that an Officer Grubbs took the report."

"The letter explains that this incident is not isolated and misconduct within MPD is a recurring problem,” they continued. "It outlines steps our local government must take to move forward. It asks for an apology to the teens and for the formation of a Civilian Oversight Board with the power to fire police officers who commit misconduct. The letter also asks for new investments in public safety initiatives, such as an unarmed crisis response team, restorative justice coordinators in schools, increased resources for people experiencing domestic violence or housing instability, and civilian traffic enforcement.”

The letter has been signed by over 300 supporters since Saturday, as well as community activist groups Our Revolution Medford, Mystic Valley NAACP, Mobilize Medford, Medford People Power, and Safe Medford.

To view or sign the letter, click here.