Boston Police Union seeks clarification from the city on police crowd control and surveillance

BOSTON — The Boston Police Superior Officers Federation and Boston Police Unions sent Mayor Wu’s administration a letter regarding their “notice of intent” to seek clarification from the City of Boston, City Council, and Boston Police Department on the validity of ordinances regulating police crowd control actions and surveillance.

“We had grave concerns over the Crowd Control and OC ordinance enacted by the City Council last year and continue to vehemently oppose it,” said Federation President Jeanne Carroll. “Our attorney and the Detective Union’s attorney sent a joint letter to the City opposing the ordinance, seeking clarification regarding certain aspects of the policy, and demand to bargain. The City never responded. We hope Mayor Wu will acknowledge that the ordinance she voted on as a city councilor was empty politics. It’s time the Mayor put rhetoric aside and focus on public safety.”

As a result of the ordinance, the Boston Police have lost outside assets, such as METROLEC, numerous Universities, and other law enforcement agencies, creating both a public and officer safety risk, according to Patrick Bryant with BPSOF.

Bryant said members of the union say their hands are tied with the new regulations on less-lethal equipment which now forces escalation.

“We are critically low on staff and for major events such as the Marathon, this puts not just our members at risk but the city as a whole,” said Bryant. “We are prepared to use all options available to us to fight for the safety of our members and the welfare of all people in the City of Boston.”

Boston 25 has reached out to Mayor Wu’s administration regarding this ordinance but have not heard back at this time.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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