Full and original article posted on Spectrum News1.
WORCESTER, Mass. – A newly released report found the city of Worcester’s oversight practices could be falling short when it comes to its police department. The Worcester Regional Research Bureau is now recommending the city establish a civilian oversight committee. The bureau’s study follows a 2024 Department of Justice report, citing cases of excessive force, discriminatory policing, and sexual misconduct within the department. The bureau said civilian oversight has been debated in Worcester for more than 50 years and adopting this recommendation could help rebuild public trust.
“We looked at the top 200 cities nationally and there’s been an increasing trend to have this type of body as part of modern police work and modern policing,” Paul Matthews, WRRB executive director said. “Again, that’s not meant to supplant the chief’s natural role of doing discipline, there’s a way to institute this in a way that’s coordinated. It simply provides clarity to the public over what’s happening.”