Shocking Justice Department Report Reveals Worcester Police’s Shocking Pattern of Systematic Rights Violations

WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) – The Worcester Police Department in Massachusetts has been accused of repeatedly violating constitutional rights through excessive use of force and permitting undercover officers to engage in sexual contact with women involved in the commercial sex trade, according to a report released Monday by the U.S. Justice Department.

The findings, issued by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, stem from a two-year investigation into allegations of systemic discrimination against Worcester residents. A 2019 survey cited in the report revealed that more than half of the women surveyed by an advocacy group claimed they were coerced or deceived by police into performing sex acts.

Protests and Allegations of Police Misconduct

The investigation also highlighted Worcester police’s response to protests in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis officers. Local residents protesting police brutality were met with officers in riot gear, raising further concerns about the department’s handling of civil rights issues.

City’s Response and Reforms

Worcester’s outside counsel, Brian Kelly, criticized the report, questioning its conclusions. “Anyone reviewing this report should ask themselves: if the allegations in this report are true, why hasn’t DOJ prosecuted a single officer and instead simply drafted a report by DOJ’s Civil Rights Division?” Kelly said in a statement.

Kelly further described the report as “unfair, inaccurate, and biased,” claiming it unjustly tarnishes the reputation of the entire police force.

The Justice Department acknowledged that Worcester, located about 50 miles west of Boston with a population of approximately 200,000, has taken some steps toward reform. These include forming a policy review committee and introducing body-worn cameras department-wide. However, the report emphasized that these efforts are insufficient to address the systemic issues.

The findings have sparked debate and raised questions about accountability and the need for more comprehensive reforms to restore public trust in Worcester’s law enforcement.