BOSTON (AP) — It’s been almost a year since the Boston Police Department began its mediation program and not a single complaint against an officer has been mediated.
The Boston Globe reports the program, which launched last September, was introduced as a way for the department to quickly resolve minor grievances against officers so it can focus on more serious allegations. But in order for a complaint to be mediated, both sides must agree to participate.
A total of 240 complaints were filed in 2014. More than half of them would’ve been eligible for mediation.
In 2016, the Internal Affairs Division identified just 15 as “suitable” cases for mediation. Of that group, officers named in 10 complaints refused to participate.
Police say officers named in the other complaints have yet to respond.
The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less