Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis set a goal on Thursdayof reducing overall crime in the city by 10 percent this year andpraised officers for their work, but his speech to the departmentwas picketed by union members angered over contract negotiations. In remarks to on-duty personnel at the Boston Teachers Union hallin Dorchester, Davis said their work has yielded a 25 percent dropin the most serious crimes in the city between 2006 and 2011. He also praised the department s clearing of the Occupy Bostonencampment in December, in which officers avoided violent clasheswith protesters, a marked difference from other US cities.
After Occupy Boston was closed down, I received phone calls fromall over the country and some international inquiries on how weaccomplished what we did, Davis said, according to a transcriptof his remarks posted on the police department website. He said the department can reduce crime in part by having officerspatrol their beats outside of their cruisers more often. Officerscompleted 160,000 walking and bicycle beats in the city last year,Davis said, and he wants them to hit the 200,000 mark in 2012. Other initiatives include adding a crime analyst, eight newhomicide detectives, additional training, and technologicalimprovements to help criminal investigations, he said. Davis s speech, which he delivered in two separate sessions toofficers and civilian employees, was closed to reporters.
He was greeted by a group of about 30 picketers from the BostonPolice Patrolmen s Association outside the venue, who held signsthat read No Contract, No Support, No Respect -- All in aday s work. Union president Thomas J. Nee said department morale is low after alack of adequate training, equipment, and compensation in recentyears. He cited a series of events over the past couple of years thathave led to a measure of breakdowns, and, quite honestly, they renot being dealt with, and this is just a demonstration of ourfrustration. Horizontal Pressure Leaf Filter
The union has clashed with the department over ongoing contractnegotiations. Davis and Nee spoke briefly outside the TeachersUnion hall, and the commissioner later said the department isnegotiating a new contract in good faith. We re working very hard through the negotiation process to getto a point where we get a good salary package for them, Davissaid. But right now, that s an ongoing process, and during thecourse of those things, it can be a difficult time. Juice Separator
The union was also angered when state lawmakers and Governor DevalPatrick slashed funding in 2009 for the state s contribution tothe Quinn Bill, an educational incentive for officers who receivepay hikes for earning post-secondary degrees. While the city continues to fund part of the program, the SupremeJudicial Court recently ruled against a group of Boston policeofficers who had argued in a lawsuit that the city is required topay the benefits in full, regardless of the state s contribution. Davis said Thursday that he understands officers anger over theprogram cuts. The Quinn Bill was cut, and people are upset about that, and Idon t blame them, Davis said. Disc Oil Separator
He also touched on the program during his remarks to the officersinside, according to the online transcript. I personally believe that it should be fully funded and theCommonwealth of Massachusetts reneged on a promise they previouslymade to you, he said. Mayor Menino supports the purpose ofthe Bill and continues to pay the city s share. Travis Andersen can be reached at tandersen@globe.com. Follow himon Twitter @TAGlobe.
John R. Ellement can be reached atellement@globe.com.
After Occupy Boston was closed down, I received phone calls fromall over the country and some international inquiries on how weaccomplished what we did, Davis said, according to a transcriptof his remarks posted on the police department website. He said the department can reduce crime in part by having officerspatrol their beats outside of their cruisers more often. Officerscompleted 160,000 walking and bicycle beats in the city last year,Davis said, and he wants them to hit the 200,000 mark in 2012. Other initiatives include adding a crime analyst, eight newhomicide detectives, additional training, and technologicalimprovements to help criminal investigations, he said. Davis s speech, which he delivered in two separate sessions toofficers and civilian employees, was closed to reporters.
He was greeted by a group of about 30 picketers from the BostonPolice Patrolmen s Association outside the venue, who held signsthat read No Contract, No Support, No Respect -- All in aday s work. Union president Thomas J. Nee said department morale is low after alack of adequate training, equipment, and compensation in recentyears. He cited a series of events over the past couple of years thathave led to a measure of breakdowns, and, quite honestly, they renot being dealt with, and this is just a demonstration of ourfrustration. Horizontal Pressure Leaf Filter
The union has clashed with the department over ongoing contractnegotiations. Davis and Nee spoke briefly outside the TeachersUnion hall, and the commissioner later said the department isnegotiating a new contract in good faith. We re working very hard through the negotiation process to getto a point where we get a good salary package for them, Davissaid. But right now, that s an ongoing process, and during thecourse of those things, it can be a difficult time. Juice Separator
The union was also angered when state lawmakers and Governor DevalPatrick slashed funding in 2009 for the state s contribution tothe Quinn Bill, an educational incentive for officers who receivepay hikes for earning post-secondary degrees. While the city continues to fund part of the program, the SupremeJudicial Court recently ruled against a group of Boston policeofficers who had argued in a lawsuit that the city is required topay the benefits in full, regardless of the state s contribution. Davis said Thursday that he understands officers anger over theprogram cuts. The Quinn Bill was cut, and people are upset about that, and Idon t blame them, Davis said. Disc Oil Separator
He also touched on the program during his remarks to the officersinside, according to the online transcript. I personally believe that it should be fully funded and theCommonwealth of Massachusetts reneged on a promise they previouslymade to you, he said. Mayor Menino supports the purpose ofthe Bill and continues to pay the city s share. Travis Andersen can be reached at tandersen@globe.com. Follow himon Twitter @TAGlobe.
John R. Ellement can be reached atellement@globe.com.