Civil Rights Task Force to coordinate efforts
Federal, state and local officials in Massachusetts are teaming up to create a Civil Rights Task Force with the goal of better coordinating responses to threats and violations.
“Civil rights issues have become urgent law enforcement issues over the last few months,” U.S. Attorney in Boston Andrew Lelling said, pointing to the recent protests over police killings.
The task force will begin to meet in January, and will do so every few months. It will involve discussion of specific cases — with an eye on getting the correct type of prosecutor and law enforcement looking into it — and on issues more generally.
Lelling was joined in the announcement by state Undersecretary for Law Enforcement Terrence Reidy, Boston Police Commissioner William Gross, Criminal Bureau Chief Gina Kwon of the state Attorney General Maura Healey’s office and Hampden Police Chief Jeff Farnsworth, the president of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.
“We’ve also seen a surge in hate crimes, over the last I’d say few years against various groups based on race,” Lelling said, elaborating on the need for the task force. “This is about religion and sexual orientation and any number of immutable characteristics, and coupled with a rise in white supremacist organizations and domestic terrorism.”
He said this needs a “coordinated law-enforcement response.”
Asked why people should take this seriously, Lelling said, “What convinces the public that you aren’t kidding is when you prosecute people. People need to see that we’re doing something.”
“It’s intended to assure people that we understand that this is a problem and should be a priority,” the U.S. attorney added.
Gross, Boston’s top cop, said it is important for law enforcement at all levels to show they have a “unified front” against civil-rights infractions.
“It also allows us to educate people about civil rights. Some folks think it’s just one person versus person, but we’re talking about human trafficking, we’re talking about housing, we’re talking about civil rights for those who are disabled,” Gross said. “We’re talking about civil rights for people who don’t think they have a voice.”