BOSTON — The Boston Police Department is forcing 40 officers from specialized units to work in districts around the city to cover for staffing shortages.
Boston 25 obtained a letter that was sent from Police Commissioner Michael Cox to officers.
“Yesterday, the zone commanders notified 40 Police Officers that they would be transferred from their non-district assignment to a district in order to complete 20 tours of duty, effective Saturday, August 19, 2023,” wrote Commissioner Cox.
“Non-district” refers to specialized units like drug, gang, or traffic units.
“District” refers to where the officers are stationed in a neighborhood, like C11 in Dorchester or A-1 downtown.
Former Boston Police Chief Dan Linskey says Boston continues to have a tough time recruiting new officers.
“Police in Boston, like policing around the country right now, is challenged by staffing shortages,” said Linskey.
In the letter, Commissioner Cox writes police departments nationwide are facing similar tough decisions. Some cities have disbanded or cut off assignments to specialized units but Boston will not do that. And that’s a good thing according to Linskey.
“Boston is taking the option of we are going to keep our specialized units because we recognize the valuable resources they are, the great work they do but we do need to pull some resources from that,” said Linskey.
Those 40 officers will be sent to districts where staff is needed most.
“Due to necessity, next weekend we will transfer officers from specialized units and other non-district assignments to a district. These officers will complete 20 tours of duty. Once completed, they will return to their current positions,” wrote Commissioner Cox.
In the meantime, BPD will continue to recruit new officers in hopes of filling the ranks. Linskey says it’s the new reality police depts across the country are facing.
A Boston Police spokesperson says this is something they have been working on and will continue to work on because it may take a year or more to fill the ranks.
Boston 25 reached out to Boston City Council President Ed Flynn for a statement.
“Forced overtime for our dedicated police officers has become bad for morale and is hurting our City. The answer is not requiring officers to work around the clock,” said Flynn.
Boston 25 also reached out to Boston Police and Mayor Michelle Wu for statements, but have not heard back.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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