With eye on D.C., Walsh leaves White in the cold

As Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White waits in the limbo of administrative leave amid decades-old domestic violence allegations, one thing is certain: We could use a full-time mayor right now.

The city’s second Black police commissioner was sworn in by Mayor Marty Walsh on Feb. 1, and placed on leave not three days later after the allegations surfaced. But Walsh’s plate was full as he faced a U.S. Senate hearing over his nomination for Labor Secretary. And the backpedaling began. “In an attempt to create a smooth transition and honor former Commissioner Gross’s desire to spend time with his family, Dennis White was asked to quickly step into the role of Police Commissioner, beginning last Friday,” Walsh said in a statement, making it sound as though little thought was given to the decision to elevate the 32-year veteran of the force.

Walsh later added “upon learning of these serious allegations, I immediately acted, placing the commissioner on administrative leave, while corporation counsel engages outside counsel to conduct a full and impartial investigation.”

Boston is imminently in Walsh’s rearview, hence the quick pass to corporation counsel.

But a Massachusetts law enforcement group of Black leaders have White’s back, and have called for his reinstatement.

The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives of Massachusetts — an executive board that includes Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins and former BPD Commissioner William Gross — wrote an open letter backing White.

“Commissioner White was hastily placed on leave after a 22year-old civil restraining order became public,” NOBLE Massachusetts President Steven Tompkins wrote. “No criminal charges were ever filed in this matter, and White has vehemently denied these accusations for decades.”

The letter points out that White’s background has been screened “numerous times” during his career and his many promotions with the department, which should at least have given pause to the decision to place White on leave.

Tiffany White, the commissioner’s older daughter, told GBH News that the domestic abuse allegations brought against him by his ex-wife, her mother, are not true.

Tiffany White, 38, who was a teenager at the time of the incident, said “I can 100% guarantee everything on my soul — I would put that on the line — that man has never hit my mother. Ever.”

She also noted that for the entire duration of her father’s career, her mother has not raised concerns as he advanced through BPD ranks.

Domestic violence is a highly charged issue, and no one wants to give the impression of taking a cavalier approach to the matter. But the lack of subsequent charges and White’s record with the department at least merit consideration, rather than a nudge off the stage and boilerplate statements.

Walsh has stepped up to defend his hiring decisions before — even when they were controversial. Back in 2014, he picked his cousin, a Boston police sergeant, to be his official driver.

“It’s not nepotism. Winny is a police officer who has an extensive career in the police department,” Walsh said at the time. “She’s a sergeant. She’s somebody I completely trust. She’s worked in city government a lot longer than I have.”

But that was when Walsh was new to the job. Now, Dennis White, as well as the Boston Police Department, are left to wait it out.