Trauma focused LCSW, maker of bold necklaces, college prof, mom, intersectional feminist, dog loving, social justice warrior and I think I'm funny. #burnitdown
$7.3 billion stolen from cancer patients — and not one criminal charge for a health insurance executive.
This is what it looks like when health insurance lobbyists pay off the politicians who write our laws.
December 10, 2024
VICE CHAIRMAN KHRYSTIAN E. KING CALLS FOR ACTION
FOLLOWING DOJ REPORT ON WORCESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
WORCESTER - Councilor Khrystian E. King, Vice Chairman of the Worcester City Council, expressed deep concern today regarding the report released by the United States Department of Justice, issuing the
following statement.
In light of the Department of Justice (DOJ) report released on December 9, 2024, I want to express my deep concern over the findings and reiterate the urgency for immediate action to address systemic
issues within the Worcester Police Department (WPD). The DOJ report highlights concerns regarding
behaviors by some law enforcement officers, including allegations of sexual assault, racially biased
policing, excessive use of force, and failures in accountability and oversight. These revelations demand
that we take bold and meaningful steps to restore/sustain public trust and ensure the safety and well-being of all Worcester residents.
While the majority of our police officers serve with honor and integrity, we cannot ignore the
systemic issues raised in the report. It is imperative that we address these matters head-on to rebuild the
public’s trust in law enforcement. The time has come for us to explore in earnest the establishment of a
Civilian Review Board with subpoena power and dedicated staff. This board would provide the additional oversight and accountability needed to ensure that misconduct is addressed transparently and effectively.
Among the report’s most troubling findings are concerns about how allegations of sexual assault
are investigated. The community’s confidence in how these cases are handled has been severely
compromised. City leadership must enact a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct and violations of human rights. We need to support the honorable officers who uphold their oath while implementing
policies that ensure unadulterated transparency and trauma-informed investigations into allegations of
misconduct.
The racial disparities identified in the report also require immediate attention. Comprehensive data
collection and public reporting are critical. We must operationalize changes that prioritize data-driven
decision-making and accountability measures. This includes making all safety data and analyses publicly
accessible and addressing racial disparities in policing through concrete policy changes.
Reforms in internal investigations are equally crucial. Investigations of officer misconduct cannot
remain solely under the purview of supervisors within the department. Independent and impartial
oversight is essential to rebuilding community trust.
*City of Worcester *
I want to commend Interim Police Chief Saucier for his responsiveness in addressing some of these systemic challenges and his willingness to engage with community stakeholders. Chief Saucier has shown
a commitment fostering a culture of accountability within the WPD; which must be done with enhanced transparency.
Additionally, unions associated with law enforcement – International Brotherhood Of Police Officers Local 504 and Worcester Police Patrolman’s Union, NEPBA Local 911 - must roll up their sleeves and actively join in on the corrective efforts necessary to address these issues. Their partnership
and collaboration are vital to ensuring that the solutions we implement are sustainable and effective. By working together, we can build a stronger foundation for trust and accountability within our police department.
The findings of the DOJ report, while deeply concerning, present an opportunity for Worcester to take bold and decisive action. Rebuking these systemic issues is a necessary first step toward reclaiming community trust. Our focus must remain on eliminating misconduct, implementing solutions that prioritize safety, and fostering a police department that is more responsive, transparent, and accountable
to the community it serves.
Khrystian E. King
Vice Chairman / Councilor At-Large
This Monday, August 28th, is the 60th anniversary of #IHaveADream.
Here, I share from my father’s speech, along with my thoughts on his full dream and the work still undone.
Full video: https://t.co/NHsmG1exEC
Let’s #DreamAgainMarchForward#WorkingOnADream#MLK
@bill_shaner Glad you called out your former colleague Walter Bird for the crank that he is- this was a bunch of hot nonsense in an attempt at relevance