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On November 15, 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that they would be opening an investigation into the Worcester Police Department. The investigation intended to assess whether the Worcester Police Department engaged in a pattern or practice of using excessive force and whether their policing was discriminatory on the basis of race or sex. The Justice Department was given information that the DOJ believed indicated the Worcester Police Department may be acting in an unconstitutional or discriminatory manner. The Justice Department planned to investigate claims under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments, the Safe Streets Act of 1968 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by examining the policies, procedures, and training employed by the Worcester Police Department. Specifically, the DOJ intended to review WPD’s handling of citizen complaints, how they investigate incidents, and how they interact with the public.
In 2018, the Department of Justice opened a similar investigation in Springfield, Massachusetts. That investigation was resolved by a consent decree in 2022. This investigation is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Claire Butler (12/30/2022)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:25 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Massachusetts
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The 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
Defendant Type(s):
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
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General:
Policing:
Inadequate citizen complaint investigations and procedures
Discrimination-area:
Discrimination-basis:
Race: