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On November 15, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it had opened an investigation into the Worcester, Massachusetts Police Department (WPD) pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to assess whether WPD engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force or engages in discriminatory policing on the basis of race or sex. The investigation arose after the DOJ was given information indicating the Worcester Police Department may be acting in an unconstitutional or discriminatory manner. The DOJ announced it would assess WPD’s practices under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments, the Safe Streets Act of 1968 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The DOJ investigation concluded in 2024 and the DOJ detailed its findings in a report issued on December 9, 2024. In the report, the DOJ stated it had reasonable cause to believe that WPD and the City of Worcester engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives people of their rights under the Constitution and federal law. Specifically, the DOJ found that WPD uses excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment, including by unreasonably stunning people with Tasers, striking people in the head, using police dogs to bite people, and escalating minor incidents, including during calls related to behavioral health. The DOJ also found that WPD violates the due process rights of women suspected of being involved in the commercial sex trade by engaging in sexual contact while undercover during official investigations in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. Finally, the DOJ reported “serious concerns” about credible reports of sexual assault and other sexual misconduct by WPD officers, gender bias infecting WPD’s investigations of sexual assault, and (3) WPD’s law enforcement practices having an unlawful discriminatory effect on Black and Hispanic individuals. The report concluded with recommended remedial measures regarding the use of force, officer sexual misconduct, sexual assault investigations, assessing racial disparities, accountability, and supervision intended to serve as a framework for WPD and the city to address its legal violations, rebuild community trust, and improve public safety.
The Worcester Police Department released a summary report of its initial reforms and improvements relating to the DOJ report in April 2025. And, although the DOJ dismissed many Biden-era police investigations in May, the investigation of WPD was not mentioned.
Summary Authors
Claire Butler (12/30/2022)
Logan Moore (3/21/2025)
Avery Coombe (10/14/2025)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:25 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory:
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Key Dates
Case Ongoing: Unknown
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
U.S. Department of Justice
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Worcester Police Department (Worcester), City
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Case Details
Causes of Action:
Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act, 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 14141)
Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Due Process: Procedural Due Process
Due Process: Substantive Due Process
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Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
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