WORCESTER—The Worcester City Council is set to review the full report from the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding allegations of widespread misconduct within the Worcester Police Department. A dedicated meeting is scheduled for March 18 to discuss the findings, city council approved at its Tuesday, March 4, meeting.
Councilor and Mayor Joseph Petty confirmed that since Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier is unavailable on March 11, the council will take up both the DOJ’s full report and the chief’s response on March 18.
“We’ll take both reports up that night. We’ll dedicate that night to that,” Petty said to council at its meeting on Tuesday.
The DOJ released a preliminary report to the city on Dec. 9, which outlined serious allegations, including an officer extorting a sex worker under the threat of arrest, physical abuse of sex workers, and racial profiling.
The report did not name specific officers or victims. On Dec. 17, the city council heard hours of public testimony, with some speakers condemning the department and others coming to its defense.
According to the DOJ’s timeline, the full report is expected by March 9—90 days after the preliminary release.
Saucier submitted a report to City Manager Eric Batista stating that the department has already implemented measures to address the DOJ’s concerns, including forming a Policy Review Committee in October 2023. The report outlines existing policies and practices in response to the DOJ’s allegations.
“The WPD takes DOJ’s allegations seriously and remains committed to reform, including by implementing many of the recommendations made by DOJ,” the chief’s report stated. “WPD continues its work to build relationships and trust with the public and is proud to serve the Worcester community with integrity, transparency, and fair and unbiased policing.”
Some residents, however, were unsatisfied.
“The people are supposed to believe a report that criticized our police, making them look like bums and rapists,” said resident Fred Nathan. “Enough. Treat the police with respect.”
Resident David Webb pushed back. “Them first,” he said. “If they treated people with dignity, maybe they’d be treated with dignity. They’re in a position of power; they should treat people with respect first.”
“No one should investigate themselves,” said resident Tom Marino. “That’s ridiculous.”
Others called for more transparency. “The problem is, we kept putting off this issue. All it does is put all officers under suspicion,” said resident Gary Hunter. “I think we need to release the report and give the individuals’ names who are being investigated, so not all officers are treated like they are guilty.”
