According to a letter addressed to the state chiefs of police organisation, the Boston Police Department is appealing for officers from other agencies to relocate to the city due to “dire” staffing shortfalls.
“I regret that we have to take this measure, but the Boston Police Department is in a catastrophic situation,” BPD Commissioner Michael Cox stated in a statement to the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.
“While we’ve made every attempt to add staff, retirements continue to have a major effect on Departmental operations.
I want to increase our recruiting efforts by issuing a call for lateral transfers in an effort to bolster our numbers and put in place necessary resources well in advance of the summer months.
Instead of responding quickly to a Herald request for comment on the letter, the Boston Police Department instead issued a news release calling for lateral transfers a few hours later.
Boston Police Putting Out Call For Other Massachusetts Cops To Transfer To The Hub
According to a letter addressed to the state chiefs of police organisation, the Boston Police Department is appealing for officers from other agencies to relocate to the city due to “dire” staffing shortfalls.
“I regret that we have to take this measure, but the Boston Police Department is in a catastrophic situation,” BPD Commissioner Michael Cox stated in a statement to the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.
“While we’ve made every attempt to add staff, retirements continue to have a major effect on Departmental operations.
I want to increase our recruiting efforts by issuing a call for lateral transfers in an effort to bolster our numbers and put in place necessary resources well in advance of the summer months.
Instead of responding quickly to a Herald request for comment on the letter, the Boston Police Department instead issued a news release calling for lateral transfers a few hours later.
The letter, dated December 27 and obtained by the Herald, is addressed to Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association Executive Director Mark Leahy, the retired Northborough top cop, and asks him to distribute the correspondence to other chiefs as a sort of courtesy as BPD prepares to call for lateral transfers.
Chief Leahy declined to comment for this piece, but Cox wrote in a fresh letter to her that she hoped chiefs would be understanding of officers who wanted to make a career transition yet remain in law enforcement.
“Our goal is to not significantly affect any one agency, and we would take into account the needs of the Department and the Chief’s advice, should an Officer indicate interest in a lateral position.”
BPD is underfunded by hundreds of officers, according to the department, police unions, and some Boston politicians, who point to ongoing retirements as officers reach the statutory resignation age and the difficulties attracting new members in an era with increased anti-cop rhetoric and emotion.
This year, Mayor Michelle Wu has allocated funds for an additional training class at the academy.
Dan Linskey, former superintendent of the Boston Police Department and current managing partner of security risk management at Kroll, was a major proponent of this change at the time and has since said he still thinks it’s a good idea, albeit one that could prove more challenging now.
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Boston Police Officer Placed On Leave After Domestic Assault Arrest
After an arrest for domestic assault, a Boston police officer was placed on administrative leave. The alleged assault, according to his lawyer, occurred after a fight between the police officer and his brother.
On December 12 at 1:36 p.m., James Kenneally, 52, was detained for assault and battery after an altercation involving a family member, according to a police press release. Details concerning the incident were not released by police.
Police noted that they had informed the Boston Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit and Anti-Corruption Unit about the arrest and that both were now looking into it.
Kenneally, a member of the Boston Police Department since 1997, was arraigned in West Roxbury District Court, according to the police. He reportedly pled not guilty on December 13 and was released on his own recognisance.
Nicholson told the Globe that the battle “began as a pushing match,” but that it escalated into real physical warfare, leaving both men with bruises and serious injuries.
The situation is “unfortunate,” Nicholson told the Globe. “Emotions were running high as the family mourned the loss of their father.”
Mr. Nicholson informed the Globe, Kenneally has a spotless record with the police and has never been arrested or punished. The cop has a stellar reputation and track record, he said.
Boston Police Seek Info On South Boston Missing Person Case From 1979
The police are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Joseph Patrick Breen’s disappearance.
The Boston Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing person who was last seen in South Boston in the year 1979.
In a tweet published on Thursday, the Boston Police Department expressed their desire to collect information on the disappearance of Joseph Patrick Breen.
On November 12, 1979, Breen was last seen in South Boston. He was 23 years old at the time. Since then, neither his whereabouts nor his voice have been reported.
At the time of his disappearance, Breen was said to have been 140 pounds, 5 feet 6 inches tall, with black hair, hazel eyes, and fair skin. He was also said to have had black hair.
It wasn’t immediately clear why the cops are appealing for information on Breen’s disappearance after 43 years had passed since the last time he was seen.
Final Words
According to a letter addressed to the state chiefs of police organisation, the Boston Police Department is appealing for officers from other agencies to relocate to the city due to “dire” staffing shortfalls.
“I regret that we have to take this measure, but the Boston Police Department is in a catastrophic situation,” BPD Commissioner Michael Cox stated in a statement to the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.
“While we’ve made every attempt to add staff, retirements continue to have a major effect on Departmental operations. I want to increase our recruiting efforts by issuing a call for lateral transfers in an effort to bolster our numbers and put in place necessary resources well in advance of the summer months.
Instead of responding quickly to a Herald request for comment on the letter, the Boston Police Department instead issued a news release calling for lateral transfers a few hours later.
