BPD REACHES OUT TO YOUTH
Baston to lead community bureau
Police Commissioner William G. Gross tapped community policing veteran and decorated leader Nora Baston to lead his first major initiative in the creation of the Community Engagement Bureau.
“This is like a dream come true, a day I never thought would happen,” Baston told reporters after she was honored and presented with a badge.
Gross and Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced plans for the new bureau yesterday, citing the accomplishments of Baston, who has been a member of the command staff for 11 years and is the highest-ranking woman in the department. In 2015, Baston was honored by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester as an Outstanding Woman Leader at the 22nd annual New England Women’s Leadership Awards.
Gross said ending “senseless youth violence” is the No. 1 reason he decided to put community policing at the forefront of his administration. Gross talked about the initiative as one of his main objectives during his swearing-in ceremony back in August.
“Before, we had great individual community service, but now we’re going to bring more uniformity,” Gross said, “to make sure we have the vision of the mayor, myself and the rest of my brothers and sisters.”
Baston said, “My No. 1 priority is for officers to be mentors for these kids. So that we are the ones that guide them and create opportunities.”
Baston has been involved in numerous community policing efforts over the years including Basketball for Peace.
The bureau will include a handpicked staff that will represent community relations in all 11 districts, Gross said. He expects the number of employees to “be in the hundreds.”
“If you look at the Boston Police Department, you go back to the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s or ’80s, you would not have this support,” Gross said. “We’ve been working for 30 long, hard years to build our relationship with the community, so that we can have this today.”
Walsh in his speech yesterday, said “this kind of leadership” is why he appointed Gross as commissioner.
“It’s a big day for the department, it’s a big day for the city,” Walsh said. “Nora has been the face of community activism. She’s got her hands dirty by getting involved with the kids. She’s the real deal. When you think about community policing, it’s not a role that you have to put somebody in and hope they do a good job at. She has the relationships, and it’s going to have a big impact. Boston is a model of community policing, and I think with this new bureau, that rises to a whole new level.”