In an effort to address misconduct allegations involving the Worcester Police Department, the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office held a community meeting Wednesday night to answer questions and help pose solutions.
Dozens filed into the gymnasium at the YWCA and formed focus groups to discuss the DOJ's scathing report released earlier this month, accusing officers of excessive force, sexual misconduct and discrimination.
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"It's a good first step. I really appreciate the DOJ being willing to come and talk to us," said Mary Sacksteder, a Worcester resident.
"I personally believe that you do not need to keep putting people down, threatening people, talking over people, acting aggressively toward people to solve a situation," said William Gardener, a former Worcester police officer. "It's absolutely not necessary."
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Some in the meeting suggested additional mental health response training, better data collection and a department culture shift.
Fredd Taylor, president of the Worcester branch of the NAACP, reiterated calls for a civilian review board — one was recently added to the Boston Police Department.
"Hopefully they'll have a civilian review board here in Worcester, and they'll listen to what the people want," Taylor said. "If we don't say anything and we just let everything stay quiet, no one says anything, things are going to continue to happen. We need to speak up."
While no law enforcement officers were present in Wednesday's community meeting, many of those who there said they wanted to focus on a path forward that involved the WPD.
"I'm just glad everybody is coming to join in, and all of the women are showing their power in Worcester and coming together," said Elizabeth Grajales, vice president of Project Priceless, an organization that helps survivors of the sex trade.
Representatives from the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's office indicated there will be additional community meetings to come.
In Tuesday night's tense City Council meeting, law enforcement officers dismissed the findings in the DOJ report. Many demanded evidence, challenged the report's credibility and claimed it damaged the department's reputation.
“Everyone thinks that we are racist, that we are thugs and that we’re sexual deviants or predators. I want to say that’s not true,” another officer said.
Other people demanded an apology from the city and accountability from councilors.
