The U.S. Department of Justice released a troubling report on the Worcester Police Department (WPD) and the City of Worcester on December 9, revealing a pattern of civil rights violations. According to the findings of a two-year investigation, WPD engaged in excessive use of force, sexual misconduct by officers, and racially discriminatory policing practices, all of which violated the constitutional rights of individuals.
The investigation highlighted several instances where officers used excessive force, including tasers, police dogs, and strikes to the head, especially against individuals with behavioral health issues or those in crisis. These actions were deemed to violate the Fourth Amendment.
The report also detailed cases of undercover officers engaging in sexual contact with women suspected of being involved in the commercial sex trade, as well as allegations of officers coercing women into sexual acts under the threat of arrest. These incidents were considered violations of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Additionally, the investigation pointed to systemic racial bias in the department’s policing tactics, as well as deficiencies in training, supervision, and accountability.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke expressed concern over the findings, noting that this is the first time the Justice Department has issued a pattern or practice finding related to sexual misconduct by law enforcement officers.
“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,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This is the first time the department has issued a pattern or practice finding involving sexual misconduct by officers. We look forward to working with city officials to institute reforms that build on their own preliminary efforts but that will fully bring an end to these unlawful and unconstitutional practices. The Justice Department is committed to standing firm against sexual misconduct in all its forms.”
The Justice Department launched the investigation in November 2022, following Section 12601 of the U.S. Code, which prohibits law enforcement from engaging in patterns of unconstitutional conduct. The report recognized some of the changes already made by the city and the department but emphasized the need for additional reforms.
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