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Origins of the Boston Police Department: First In The Nation

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First in the Nation The origins of the Boston Police Department can be traced back to 1631 with the formation of the first night watch..These property owning white men “served and protected” the property of good white citizens and maintained a good Christian public peace.Slavery was the business of the day, White men were not bound to respect any rights of any black man and Africa was in the middle of colonization and the raping of its natural resources….**in 1780 Slavery was abolished in Massachusetts when the Mass constitution declared all men “born free and equal” after Slave, Quock Walker sued and won on this most basic of principles..Boston was the anchor of the original 13 colonies the foundation on which this house of horrors was built less than an hour away Plymouth rock landed on us.by 1796 the watchmen had a badge, rattle and six foot pole called the hook & bill, The hook to catch and the round bill as a weapon to pummelIn 1838 the Day police were established and the Boston Police forces then consisted of the Day police and the Night Watchmen**In September of 1850 The Fugitive Slave Law or Fugitive Slave Act was passed by the United States Congress as part of a compromise Southern slavemasters and Northern Free Interests. This act and compromise was the controversy of 1850 and served to heightened Northern fears of a ‘slave power conspiracy’Simalar to fears of the 50’s and 60’s to now; Black Power, Messiah, Cointelpro, Revolution, Domestic Terrorist**In April 1851 a Warning was posted in the streets of Boston warning people of an impending life-threatening danger. This danger was the police themselves.It read: “Caution Colored People of Boston and & all you are hereby respectfully cautioned and advised to avoid conversing with the watchmen and police officers of boston for since the recent order of the mayor and aldermen, they are empowered as kidnappers and slave catchers and they have been actually employed in kidnapping, catching and keeping slaves. Therefore if you value your liberty, and the welfare of the fugitives among you, shun them in every possible manner, as so many Hounds on the track of the most unfortunate of your race. Keep a sharp eye out for kidnappers and have a top eye open.” **In 1854 The Boston Police was formally founded disbanding both the Day police and Night watchmen and establishing the Boston Police Department which then replaced the old hook & bill with a 14-inch club as the officer’s weapon of choice.**1863 Emancipation Proclamation**1865 13th Amendment Abolition of SlaverySo from the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850until the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863Or maybe even the Abolition of Slavery in 1865The Boston Police Department were slave catchers NOTE:RACIAL PREFERENCEThe Boston Police Department has shown a favoritism for the European culture, most notably Irish/Gaelic culture, Scottish and Italian. Bagpipes are played at formal functions and kilts are worn. Boston Police Department has even been officially emblazoned with flags representing authorized and sanctioned Cultural Pride. Can you imagine a Puerto Rican, Dominican, Jamaican, Haitian, Trinidadian or Cape Verdean Officer who wanted to alter the official badge of the Boston Police Department to represent their culture or ethnicity? Can you imagine a Black African-American Officer who wished to alter the BPD patch and display a Red, Black and Green Flag?!?  

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POLICE COMPLAINT ASSISTANCE PROJECT

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If you wish to file a claim against the BPD…. ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union of MA) sponsor the POLICE COMPLAINT ASSISTANCE PROJECT in partnership with Suffolk University Law Students who will assist you in filing a complaint. http://www.aclum.org/ 211 Congress St, 3rd Flr, Boston, MA 02110   I  617-482-3170

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POLICE MISCONDUCT DOCUMENTATION PROJECT

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POLICE MISCONDUCT DOCUMENTATION PROJECT   If you want to tell your story of abuse, misconduct, brutality, abuse, corruption, etc. We want to hear from you. YOU CAN REMAIN ANONYMOUS.  If you wish to remain anonymous we can disguise your voice for audio or hide your face for video. CONFIDENTIALITY GUARANTEED. We can even have Clergy or Attorney’s present. CALL FOR INTERVIEW 617-297-7721 or email blackstonian.com@gmail.com ————————————————————————————————————————————–   NOTE: If you wish to file a claim against the BPD we will refer you to the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union of MA) who sponsor the POLICE COMPLAINT ASSISTANCE PROJECT in partnership with Suffolk University Law Students who will assist you in filing a complaint. http://www.aclum.org/ 211 Congress St, 3rd Flr, Boston, MA 02110   I  617-482-3170 See the link on Blackstonian here….    

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Chuck Turner lawyer’s bizarre admission He only took a little

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Chuck Turner lawyer’s bizarre admissionHe only took a littleBy Laurel J. Sweet  |   Friday, October 29, 2010  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Politics AWAITS VERDICT: City Councilor Chuck Turner leaves the Moakley Federal Courthouse yesterday.Photo by Matthew West The jury sitting in judgment of City Councilor Chuck Turner began deliberations yesterday after a final bizarre twist in the trial — the accused pol’s lawyer said in his closing remarks that his client took no more than $200 of an alleged $1,000 bribe, that FBI informant Ronald Wilburn pocketed the rest and that Turner never did anything for Wilburn. “The only thing Chuck Turner did knowingly was his job,” defense attorney Barry Wilson bellowed. Turner sat later, surrounded and reassured by his faithful supporters, waiting for a verdict. “Let’s see what they come back with,” the Roxbury city councilor said. The six women and six men enter a second day of deliberations todayin U.S. District Court. The jury asked for Judge Douglas P. Woodlock’s help once yesterday: to obtain a definition for “material statement.” Turner, 70, faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of attempted extortion and making false statements to the FBI. The $87,500-a-year councilor also stands to lose his city pension. Turner, the sole witness in his own defense, denied on the witness stand ever seeing money pressed into his palm in a so-called “minister’s handshake” with Wilburn, a longtime Hub business consultant who was shopping for political muscle to land a liquor license for a proposed nightclub. Wilson said federal informant Wilburn kept $800 of the $1,000 alleged bribe money Turner is accused of accepting. The money has never been accounted for. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. McNeil scoffed at the eleventh-hour allegation that the informant kept most of the money, calling it “ridiculous.” McNeil told jurors Turner suffered from “magic memory loss” and “selective amnesia.” “If someone put a thousand bucks in your hand, you’re never going to forget it,” McNeil said. “Never.” In his closing, McNeil told the jury to examine the rule of law. “In the United States of America no one is above the law. No one gets a free pass. And in the United States of America, politicians are certainly not above the law,” he said. He noted that a politician doesn’t have to ask for money to be found guilty of extortion and theorized Turner didn’t need to glance at the wad or count the cash because, “Chuck Turner knew it was coming.” The FBI wired Wilburn to videotape the alleged exchange. Wilburn told Turner, “You take care of me, I take care of you.” McNeil said of Turner, a Harvard grad, “Just because you go to Harvard doesn’t make you honest.” Turner supporters and trial watchers packed two rooms at the South Boston court yesterday, including one reserved for a simulcast of the trial. Wilson chalked up his client’s foggy memory of having met Wilburn in August 2007 to holding “350 hearings a year” and meeting dozens of people a week. “Ron Wilburn is nobody to Mr. Turner. He wasn’t then and he isn’t now,” said Wilson. “He didn’t commit a crime.” McNeil, afforded a few final last words by the judge, retorted, “If Chuck Turner was only doing his job, then American politics are in a sad state.” Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view.bg?articleid=1292312

News, Youth

DA investigating arrest video Aggressive cop restraint under review

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DA investigating arrest videoAggressive cop restraint under review By O’Ryan Johnson  |   Friday, October 29, 2010  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage The Suffolk district attorney and the Boston Police Department agreed yesterday to assign a prosecutor to probe possible “criminal conduct” by police following an arrest posted on YouTube where cops appear to repeatedly punch a 16-year-old. “It’s important for everyone involved that there be independent eyes reviewing what occurred here,” said Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley. He said police Commissioner Edward Davis has already launched an internal investigation. The 16-year-old caught on tape while being arrested at Roxbury Community College on Oct. 22 was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and was held on $500 cash bail. His bail was also revoked on an open case for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and trespassing. He was wanted on a warrant for escaping a Department of Youth Services lockup. The officers are at work and have not been placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. If the police department does not quickly provide answers, the video — which had been viewed more than 17,000 times as of last night — could undermine efforts at combating youth violence, community leaders warned. “Davis is doing exactly the right thing to make sure they’re seeing all the video and getting all the witness statements,” said Emmet Folgert, director of the Dorchester Youth Collaborative. The Rev. Shaun O. Harrison, pastor of Charles Street A.M.E. Church, and a member of Dorchester’s Four Corners Association, said while the arrest looks bad on tape, he wants to wait until the investigation is complete before he passes judgment. He said as someone who worked with troubled teens in a Department of Youth Services facility for five years and has participated in restraints, he knows they are often ugly to witness. “It’s not a pretty scene,” he said. “Sometimes it takes four to six staff to put them down because they’re very violent. You have got to hold them down until they calm down. I’ve gotten thrown through walls. I got slammed into a locker. It wasn’t pretty.” The hot-button incident sparked a war of words between City Council President Michael Ross and Boston Police Patrolmen Association president Thomas Nee. Ross, who said he trusts that a review of the case will be independent and thorough, did not back away from a statement he issued on his Web site Wednesday night about his outrage over the use of force on an unarmed 16-year-old. “I don’t think this represents who we are as a city. It’s offensive to see. It’s offensive for our citizens and it’s not the way our police should be performing,” Ross said. “Nothing was out of line and nothing was excessive,” responded Nee, who said the suspect assaulted a cop, then locked his fingers under his body and was refusing to allow police to cuff him. “Use of force is not pretty and officers were utilizing techniques for noncompliance that they train for in the academy. They will be exonerated after an investigation. Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1292330

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Chuck Turner’s lawyer drops closing-argument bombshell Jurors sent home for the day

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Chuck Turner’s lawyer drops closing-argument bombshellJurors sent home for the dayBy Laurel J. Sweet  |   Thursday, October 28, 2010  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Politics Photo by Patrick Whittemore In a final bizarre bombshell in the corruption case of Chuck Turner, the city councilor’s attorney said today in his closing remarks that his client took only $200 while an FBI informant pocketed the rest. Defense attorney Barry Wilson said federal informant Ronald Wilburn kept $800 of the $1,000 alleged bribe money Turner is accused of accepting. “The only thing Chuck Turner did knowingly was his job,” said Wilson in a packed U.S. District Court. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. McNeil scoffed at the 11th-hour allegation, calling it “ridiculous.” The jury was then handed the case and deliberated for most of the day before being sent home without a verdict just before 5 p.m. The jury did ask one question about material statements. In his closing, McNeil told the jury to examine the rule of law. “In the United States of America no one is above the law. No one gets a free pass. And in the United States of America, politicians are certainly not above the law,” he said. The two-week bribery case had been entertaining from the start and today’s closing arguments did not disappoint. Even though Turner has denied ever seeing the $1,000 wad allegedly slipped to him by businessman Wilburn in exchange for his help in landing a liquor license for a proposed nightclub, Wilson shocked the court with his allegation Wilburn skimmed most of the cash. Turner supporters and trial watchers packed two rooms at the South Boston court including one reserved for a simulcast of the trial. Judge Douglas P. Woodlock turned the case over to jurors today after instructing them on the law. Turner, 70, charged with attempted extortion and making a false statement to the FBI, faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Wilson chalked up his client’s foggy memory of having met Wilburn in August 2007 to holding “350 hearings a year” and meeting dozens of people a week. “Ron Wilburn is nobody to Mr. Turner. He wasn’t then and he isn’t now,” said Wilson. “He didn’t commit a crime.” McNeil, afforded a few final last words by the judge, retorted, “If Chuck Turner was only doing his job, then American politics are in a sad state.” Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view.bg?articleid=1292194

News, Youth

Police report on Roxbury Community College arrest

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Police report on Roxbury Community College arrest By Boston Police report  |   Thursday, October 28, 2010  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage The following is a Boston Police report on the arrest of a 16-year-old suspect at Roxbury Community College Friday: About 2:10PM on Friday, 10/22/10, Officers along with DYS Officer under the supervision of Sgt were in the area of Roxbury Crossing MBTA Station. Officers were in the area trying to locate (Suspect,16). Suspect was wanted on multiple warrants as well a Felony escape warrant issued by the Massachusetts Dept of Youth Services. Officers received information that suspect frequents the area of Roxbury Crossing and Officers also had a description of what clothing suspect had on earlier in the day. At approx 2:27PM Officers observed a male wearing a green hoody, dark jeans, and backpack. this was the exact description given to the Officers in the morning. Officers, with theirs badges displayed on their outer most garment, followed the male across Columbus Av and onto the property of Roxbury Community College. Officers then saw the male enter the Administration Building. Officers followed the male into the common thruway. Just as the male got to the exit door at the end of the thruway, Officer said, “Hey (suspect)”. The male turned around and Officers immediately identified him to be suspect. Officers gave suspect verbal commands to turn around and place his hands behind his back, to which suspect complied. At that time Officer attempted to secure SUSPECT’s left arm, as DYS Officer attempted to place him in cuffs. SUSPECT quickly spun around and broke free from Officers. SUSPECT was now facing Officers in a combative stance. Officers were again issuing verbal commands, “(Suspect) stop resisting, your under arrest”. Officer again attempted to place handcuffs on SUSPECT’s left hand. SUSPECT grabbed the cuffs with his right hand, Officer grabbed and secured SUSPECT’s right arm. Officer told the suspect multiple times to let go of the cuffs. The suspect then stiffened his body and refused to comply. Officers, concerned that the suspect was now armed with a weapon – the handcuffs, physically restrained SUSPECT from flailing his arms. At this time Officer requested operations send additional units for assistance. As the Officers continued to give verbal commands to the suspect Officer requested the assistance of a RCC Security Officer who was walking through the doorway. Officers were struggling to hold onto SUSPECT, who was still in possession of the handcuffs. Officer told the suspect to stop resisting and stated, “(Suspect) you are going to the ground and you’re going to place your hands behind your back”. Officers attempted to bring SUSPECT to the ground. This is when a violent struggle ensued. Officer managed to pry the handcuffs from SUSPECT just as the violence escalated. SUSPECT now freed his left hand and was flailing his closed fist throwing punches. SUSPECT now yelled repeatedly, “YA’LL GOTTA TAKE ME IN BLOOD (expletive)”! Officers struck SUSPECT multiple times with closed fists and used knee strikes as trained in the police academy in an attempt to control and bring SUSPECT under control. The violent struggle continued now on the ground as multiple assisting units arrived. PO was kicked by SUSPECT, causing officer to fall to the ground. Eventually with the assistance of multiple Officers, SUSPECT was handcuffed. During this violent struggle SUSPECT sustained a laceration to his head. Officer injured back, his right shoulder, and sustained lacerations to both hands. Officer sustained an injury to leg. Officer sustained a blow to the right eye causing it to swell. SUSPECT was taken to BMC via Boston EMS. He was treated and released. Officer was taken to Tuffs Medical Center for injuries. SUSPECT was transported to B2 for booking. During the inventory search of SUSPECT’s backpack Officers found 9 PB’s of green leafy material believed to be marijuana. Drugs logged into B2 drug Book # 151 page # 33. SUSPECT charged with ABDW, ABPO, Resisting Arrest, and Possession with Intent Class D school zone. SUSPECT also arrested on: Straight warrant issued out of Cambridge Juvenile Court on 10/20/10. Straight Warrant issued out of Boston Juvenile on 10/19/10. Straight Warrant issued out of Roxbury Juvenile on 10/19/10. DYS Warrant issued 10/19/10, Escaped from Custody. Warrant Unit notified. Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1292191

News, Youth

Cop union president Thomas Nee blasts councilor Mike Ross over video criticism

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Cop union president Thomas Nee blasts councilor Mike Ross over video criticismBy O’Ryan Johnson  |   Thursday, October 28, 2010  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage Photo by Youtube Boston police union boss Thomas Nee called City Council President Mike Ross a “fraud” today over hiscomments that police use of force captured in a YouTube video was “offensive.” Ross also called the officers training into question, which didn’t sit well with Nee. “There were officers holding this man down on his belly, pressing him to the floor. It appears to me the use of force by one particular officer was unmeasured,” Ross said. “If that is the protocol, that should not be the protocol. There has got to be a better way of doing that … It’s offensive to see. It’s offensive for our citizens to watch and its not the way our police should be performing.” Nee struck back today saying Ross was making political hay out of a policing situation he knows nothing about and passing judgment on an investigation that has only just begun. “He’s is a fraud that lives a charmed life sitting in a soft chair watching police work on the six o’clock news,” Nee said. “The sheer arrogance of an ambitious elected official to cast aspersions and take an opportunity in an event like this, is not only irresponsible, its outrageous.” Nee said he hopes Ross will apologize after the case is over. The video, placed on YouTube Tuesday, shows the arrest Oct. 22 at Roxbury Community College of a 16-year-old escapee from a Department of Youth Services lock up. In it officers appear to strike the suspect in order to cuff him. Nee said while Ross would not comment on an FBI surveillance video that shows City Councilor Chuck Turner allegedly accepting a bribe he immediately issued a statement regarding the YouTube video. “He reserves judgment where an elected official is concerned, but he rushes to judgment in a situation that he doesn’t know anything about,” Nee said. “He should reserve his judgment on my members until the facts are revealed. We don’t get to play law enforcement critic on television. We have to deal with it in the real world.” The Suffolk District Attorney’s office and city police agreed this afternoon to assign a prosecutor to review the arrest. “Its important for everyone involved that there be independent eyes reviewing what occurred here,” Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley said. “I spoke with (Boston Police) Commissioner (Edward) Davis, who has already initiated what he promises will be a complete and thorough internal investigation.” Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1292275

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BPD probes arrest video DA, police agree to assign prosecutor to case

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BPD probes arrest videoDA, police agree to assign prosecutor to caseBy O’Ryan Johnson  |   Thursday, October 28, 2010  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage INVESTIGATION: Boston police have vowed to probe the arrest of a 16-year-old suspect at Roxbury Community College last week that was captured on video and placed on YouTube. The teen had run away from a youth facility.Photo by Youtube Boston police brass are vowing a full investigation into a YouTube video that shows a police officer punching a 16-year-old suspect in the back of the legs and apparently kneeing him as officers struggle to cuff him. Boston police Commissioner Edward Davis said the department’s internal affairs department is planning to view that video, speak with witnesses and get surveillance video from Roxbury Community College where the arrest occurred Friday. TODAY’S UPDATE: The Suffolk District Attorney’s office and city police agreed this afternoon to assign a prosecutor to review the arrest. “Its important for everyone involved that there be independent eyes reviewing what occurred here,” Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley said. “I spoke with (Boston Police) Commissioner (Edward) Davis, who has already initiated what he promises will be a complete and thorough internal investigation.” Boston police spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said yesterday no one has filed a complaint regarding the force used in the arrest. She said the department had already initiated an investigation into the incident after three officers were hospitalized Friday for injuries sustained cuffing the suspect. The video begins as police have the suspect, who was wanted on warrants and for running away from a youth facility, on the ground. There is a struggle to cuff him, and the video appears to show a plainclothes officer raising his hand and repeatedly striking the suspect in the back of the leg. He then repositions himself and drives a knee into the suspect, appearing to strike him in the hip or upper thigh. The suspect then appears to kick a police officer off of him. It is unclear who produced the video or whether it was edited. In the police report, officers acknowledge the use of punches and the knee strike and state the suspect was brought to the ground after freeing himself from one officer and using a pair of handcuffs as a weapon against police. “Suspect … yelled repeatedly, “YA’LL GOTTA TAKE ME IN BLOOD (expletive)”!” the report states. “Officers struck suspect multiple times with closed fists and used knee strikes as trained in the police academy in an attempt to control and bring suspect under control.” Davis said officers are allowed to use appropriate force to make an arrest. He said the officers involved in the arrest continue to work as the department investigates. Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1292056

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