Worcester Launches Resources After DOJ Cites Police Misconduct

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester officials are working to keep residents in the loop after a scathing government report cited police department misconduct.

In December, the Department of Justice found that the Worcester Police Department used excessive force, engaged in racial discrimination and illegal sex acts against women. The city has now launched two new public resources to keep the public informed on its efforts to fix these problems, according to a new release.

City Manager Eric Batista’s office said that it has launched a timeline and a webpage to show the progress. The timeline shows the initiatives and programs implemented by the WPD, while the webpage offers detailed descriptions of progress.

Along with the DOJ report, the police department also underwent a Racial Equity Audit. The department was offered many recommendations from both the DOJ and the Center for Naval Analyses, which conducted the audit.

Through the new resources, residents can see the findings, recommendations and what WPD has done so far to fix the issue.

Batista said his administration has emphasized its commitment to transparency. "I am proud of the work our departments have accomplished to address the recommendations," he said.