Mayor releases investigation into officer accused of abuse

BOSTON (AP) — Acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey has released redacted copies of an internal affairs investigation into a former Boston Police officer and union chief charged with molesting children as far back as the mid-1990s.

Retired officer and one-time president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association Patrick Rose Sr. has pleaded not guilty to 33 charges involving six alleged victims.

Janey released 13 pages of internal affairs records Tuesday saying previous leaders of the police department clearly neglected their duties.

“It is clear that previous leaders of the police department neglected their duty to protect and serve,” Mayor Janey said in a statement issued Tuesday.

“Despite an internal affairs investigation in 1996 that found credible evidence to sustain the allegation against Rose for sexually assaulting a minor, it appears that the police department made no attempt to fire him.”

>>>Related: Janey: Cops who abuse power ‘will not be protected’

Janey went on to condemn what she called a ‘culture of secrecy’ that allowed Rose to serve on the police force for nearly 20 years, eventually becoming president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association.

“The apparent lack of leadership shown by the department at the time is extremely troubling. This culture of secrecy cannot be tolerated,” she said. 

“When members of law enforcement violate their sacred duty to protect and serve the community, we have no choice but to expose their misconduct and attempt to rebuild trust [...] as Mayor I pledge to do everything in my power to make sure this never happens again.”

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

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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