The United States Justice Department has uncovered a troubling pattern of civil rights abuses by the Worcester Police Department (WPD) and the City of Worcester, Massachusetts, as stated in an investigative report released to the public. The department found that the WPD routinely uses excessive force and engages in sexual misconduct, including instances where undercover officers inappropriately interacted with women suspected to be involved in the commercial sex trade.
"Our comprehensive investigation revealed that the Worcester Police Department uses excessive force and has allowed undercover police officers to engage in sexual contact with women suspected of being involved in the commercial sex trade," Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said in a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice. These actions are found to be in violation of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments, which protect against unjustified uses of force and guarantee due process, respectively. Concerns were also raised about officers allegedly assaulting women under the threat of arrest and an apparent lack of adequate policies to handle such accusations against officers.
The investigation, which began on November 15, 2022, was prompted by sustained patterns of conduct that deprived people of their constitutionally secured rights. While recognizing changes made by the city and WPD to address these issues, the strategic report outlines further remedial measures recommended by the Department to rectify the described misconduct. The Justice Department plans to collaborate with city officials to ensure these reforms are enacted.
A webinar is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. tonight to provide more information about the findings, with community members encouraged to attend and submit their input on the proposed remedies. Interested individuals can register by emailing [email protected] or submit recommendations via email to the same address or by phone at 617-275-8756.
"Excessive force and sexual misconduct at the hands of officers who took an oath to serve and protect deeply diminishes the public’s trust in its sworn officers," U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts commented on the matter, as noted by the U.S. Department of Justice. Efforts to implement reforms demonstrate a commitment from the city of Worcester and the federal government to restore public confidence and ensure the constitutional rights of all individuals are upheld.
