Introduction
Boston’s police department size is among the top 20 in the entire United States. Being tasked with maintaining a positive relationship with the community and answering to potential threats, BPD serves as an important part of society. For the purposes of this work, further discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of this particular police department will be attempted. In order to best understand the scope of work for the department, it is also necessary to analyze the surrounding factors, such as population size, income levels, demographics and other considerations.
Boston is among US’s major cities, housing a population of at least 654,776 people. The city is highly multicultural, and its population is around 50% non-white (“U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Boston city, Massachusetts,” 2021). Black and African American individuals alone represent 23.5% of the population. Because of a varied population, culture across Boston is highly varied as well. Within the police department, diversity also plays an integral role. In order to promote opportunity and inclusivity among individuals from all walks of life, the BPD welcomes officers and staff of different gender identities, races, sexualities and ethnicities. This type of attitude permeates the public relations and messaging produced by the department. However, real statistics of the BPD employees paints a different picture. According to local news organizations, the police department faces the same issues of diversity and inclusivity as it did 10 years ago (Richer, 2021). Non-white candidates are regularly passed up and ignored by the organization. This creates a sense of disconnect between the public messaging and the reality of the department.
Police Department Culture
Boston’s police department has historically faced a number of issues regarding officer conduct, credibility and illegal activity. In the recent years, the impact of past has lessened, as new police commissioners to introduce changes (Wexler, 2021). They remedied the culture within the organization and introduce necessary changes.
Impact on the Relationship to Community
It is important to note, however, that the public does not have much faith in their department, making the relationship between the police and the public strained. Both the inability of the police to introduce necessary changes to their structure, operations or diversity, and the shady past have contributed to a distrust of authority currently permeating Boston. In addition, it can be noted that diversity present in the city also negatively impacts police perception. Historically, people of color have often been subject to over-policing and discrimination. This has lead to a general distrust of the law enforcement, along with a tense relationship. According to recent news reports, black people still remain as the largest police stop demographic, despite their proportionally lower population number (Thompson, 2020). This and many other issues mean that Boston police struggles to engage with its community positively.
Impact on Morale
In light of the recent Black Lives Matter movement, along with many complaints about the department’s inability to create a more safe and equitable policing environment, the morale within the department has been fluctuating. Many police officers feel personally vilified by the public, and their efforts in doing the right thing go unappreciated (“‘Morale is very low,’ Boston police patrolmen’s association president says,” 2021). In addition, discussions of police reform and changes in funding create an atmosphere of uncertainty, which escalates tensions.
Potential Changes and Improvements
Improving Relations
In order to improve relations between the department and the public, it is necessary to find solutions to existing problems. First, more diversity, equity and inclusivity must be promoted within the workplace. Beyond statements about the department’s commitment to change, the organization must make a conscious effort to create a more varied staff and facilitate an environment where more diverse populations want to become a part of the department. An ability to create a more modern workplace will serve to revitalize the department and offer a fresh insight into how to proceed into the future. In addition, the presence of different perspective will add to the BPD’s capacity to interact with different communities.
Stopping the present over-policing and discrimination is also necessary. Current policies regarding police patrols, arrests, criminal charges and other aspects of the department’s operation must be reviewed. At the same time, police officers must go through training focused on eliminating racial bias and discrimination from their approach to work. Public campaigns about introducing changes into the police force will be able to make the public more aware of the positive developments happening within the BPD, and improve perception.
Improving Morale
In order to improve morale within the department, it is necessary to help officers adjust to the changing perception of the public. Recognizing existing issues and working to correct them will help the department win over the popular opinion, and also improve the attitudes within the department itself.
References
‘Morale is very low,’ Boston police patrolmen’s association president says. (2021). CBS News – Breaking news, 24/7 live streaming news & top stories. Web.
Richer, A. D. (2021). ‘We turn a blind eye’: Boston’s police remain largely white. NBC Boston. Web.
Thompson, I. (2020). Black people made up 70 percent of Boston police stops, department data show. News. Web.
U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Boston city, Massachusetts. (n.d.). Census Bureau QuickFacts. Web.
Wexler, C. (2021). How a commissioner changed the culture within the Boston police department. BostonGlobe.com. Web.