10 Complaints Against Newton Police In 2020

NEWTON, MA — Of the 10 citizen complaints against Newton police officers in 2020, the department only deemed one founded, according to the Newton Police Department.

Police said after a citizen complained about "escalating" a traffic interaction, the complaint was "sustained." On March 5, an officer was driving in uniform in his private car along Washington Street on his way to a traffic detail. Another car swerved to go around a street sweeper pushing the officer across the double yellow lines. When they pulled up at the light together, the officer rolled down his window and the two exchanged words. The citizen driver complained, saying the off duty officer escalated the situation, according to police.

The officer admitted to the interaction and supervisors spoke to him about not engaging in that kind of back and forth while in uniform, police said.

The department received 10 formal complaints against police officers, of those, only the one was deemed founded or needing discipline. Five instances were ruled "not sustained," including a report in March accusing an officer of racial bias. In three of the cases, the complainants changed their minds and withdrew their complaint and one instance of an officer breaking someone's phone was ruled "unfounded."

In Cambridge, by comparison, only four formal complaints were issued against officers during 2020. Of those complaints one — for improper police vehicle use —was dubbed substantiated and was disciplined with retraining, according to Cambridge police.

In 2016 the Newton Police Department received 21 complaints four ruled sustained, according to police data. In 2017, the department received 11 complaints. Of these, four were closed as exonerated, three as unfounded and four as sustained, according to police data. (By way of comparison, there were two complaints sent to the Brookline Police Department, which has a more complicated process).

In 2018 police received 13 complaints. One —an instance where someone reported a detail officer sitting in a car on the phone— was ruled "sustained." In 2019 the department received eight formal complaints against police officers, of those, none of them were deemed founded or needing discipline.

No way to complain online?

There's no official email to send a complaint to, Newton Police told Patch in 2018. And two years later, they've added instructions on how to make a complaint over the phone, but there is still no dedicated email or spot on the website to take formal complaints.

In neighboring Waltham, the department notes that citizens can call or mail complaints to the department but leaves no email or address.

Meanwhile, in Brookline and Cambridge the department websites outline the process, and offers an online mechanism for complaints and compliments.

This year, as with last there is a spot on the Waltham police website where residents can give "Citizen Feedback." Sgt. Kevin Rudd who reviews the complaints told Patch that those get back to him and count toward the official complaints or compliments.

The city's website was recently updated, and Rudd said the police department, which operates a separate website from the city, is considering improving its webpage, too.

"Hopefully that gets improved and there’s an easier way to file a complaint," he said.

Rudd said if someone calls the station or makes a complaint on the citizen feedback section of the website, or emails the chief's office with a negative complaint he'll see it.

"It will get back to me," he said.

He recommends you are specific as possible about what was said and include times and dates and when and where the event you're complaining about happened. Even if someone complains about the tone an officer takes with a person, which is not a clear violation of policy, he will ensure that the officer knows about the complaint.

Anyone has the right to file a complaint — or a compliment — at any time during the year.

Here's how:

Send it snail mail: Office of the Chief of Police Attn: Internal Affairs Bureau, Newton Police Department 1321 Washington Street, West Newton, MA 02465

Call: 1-617-796-2100 and request to speak with the officer-in-charge

Email: You can also email to the mayor's office or the chief's office, which will then forward the complaint to the right person.

As with anything, it's recommended you make a copy of the complaint for your records.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.