Massachusetts law enforcement group calls for reinstating Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White
A Massachusetts law enforcement group of Black leaders is calling for the reinstatement of Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White, who was “hastily placed on leave” after decades-old domestic abuse allegations became public.
The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives of Massachusetts — an executive board that includes Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins and former BPD Commissioner William Gross — says it “strongly supports” reinstating White to his commissioner post.
NOBLE Massachusetts wrote an open letter this weekend backing White, the city’s second Black police commissioner who was swiftly appointed commissioner when Gross abruptly retired. Two days after White was sworn in, he was placed on administrative leave following a Boston Globe inquiry about domestic-abuse allegations from 1999.
“Commissioner White was hastily placed on leave after a 22 year old civil restraining order became public,” NOBLE Massachusetts President Steven Tompkins wrote in the letter. “No criminal charges were ever filed in this matter, and White has vehemently denied these accusations for decades.”
White is a native of Dorchester’s Four Corners area and a veteran of 32 years on the force.
“The Dennis White that we have known since he entered the department over 30 years ago, is a man of incredible integrity and a proven leader who has helped pioneer community policing programs across the city,” Tompkins wrote in the letter, “while also developing police reform initiatives which will serve our neighborhoods as well as the department itself in a positive way for years to come.
“Commissioner White has earned the trust of his fellow officers along with civic and clergy leaders and countless families in each of our neighborhoods,” he added. “Dennis White is the Commissioner this City so desperately needs at this critical moment in our history.”
A spokeswoman for Mayor Martin Walsh on Sunday said the Mayor’s Office had no comment on the letter.
An outside counsel is now conducting an investigation, which started about two weeks ago. The probe into White could take a total of four to six weeks.
“Commissioner White’s background has been screened numerous times during his stellar career and his many promotions with the department,” Tompkins wrote. “We feel extremely fortunate to have someone like White, who is so perfectly suited for the important role of bringing this City closer together.”
Rollins in a statement on Sunday said that as DA she has focused her efforts on the “fundamental principles of accountability, transparency and community involvement.”
“The surprising resignation of Commissioner Gross, abrupt appointment of Commissioner White, and then immediate decision to (place) him on administrative leave were void of those fundamental principles,” Rollins added.
“Instability and confusion ensued and are now distracting from the collective efforts of law enforcement to keep our communities in Suffolk County safe. I am thankful for the steady leadership of acting Commissioner Long during this time and looking forward to expedient and decisive action regarding this matter.”
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2NMsrEa
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