WORCESTER, Mass. - The Department of Justice is speaking for the first time since the release of their report into the Worcester Police Department. The DOJ is now asking the community for suggestions on how the city's police department can be fixed.
"We're very very hopeful that this will lead to some substantive change," said William Gardiner, a former Worcester police officer.
Gardiner says in his time on the force, he saw firsthand abuses of power by his colleagues. He claims his disapproval of that type of behavior led to him being kicked out of the department.
What You Need To Know
- The Department of Justice held a community meeting to hear from city residents in the aftermath of releasing the findings of their investigation into the Worcester Police Department
- Dozens attended the meeting at the YWCA to share their suggestions for change
- The DOJ says the 43-page report made public last week is the full extent of what they're releasing
- The investigation found WPD has problems with excessive force, inappropriate sexual behavior toward women while working undercover, sexual assault allegations and racial discrimination
"Not looking at people as human," Gardiner said. "Do what I tell you to do, or there's going to be hell to pay."
Gardiner was one of dozens to attend the meeting led by the DOJ which was standing room only.
In their report, they highlighted practices of excessive force by police officers, as well as examples of sexual misconduct with some working in the sex trade, the latter of which they describe as the first time they've seen a pattern or practice of that kind.
"The pattern or practice of unlawful conduct that we found compromises Worcester's ability to provide public safety services safely, constitutionally, and effectively," said Megan Marks of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division.
The DOJ emphasized the report was not rushed, saying it took more than two years, and was run by career investigators.
Since the report's release, leaders of the city's police unions have been demanding what they describe as the "full report." The DOJ said at Wednesday's meeting the 43-page document released last week is their full report.
"It could be that there will be litigation down the line, and if that's the case, then there would be further information through that process that would become public," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the division of Massachusetts Mary Murranne.
Spectrum News 1 reached out to the Worcester police officials union for a response. President Rick Cipro describes the DOJ's decision not to release further information right now as reprehensible considering the sexual misconduct claims made against officers.
A number of residents shared their suggestions with Spectrum News 1 on what they believe to be impactful measures to reform the police department.
"We're hoping so far that they release the names of the officers accused of these crimes," said Elizabeth Grajales of Project Priceless, a group helping city women who have been involved in the sex trade. "We hope, like I said, we get the list and things change."
"If I'm the policeman, my boss should be looking into those complaints," said city resident Nathalie Gibson. "But, also, there should be someone separate."