Latest news with #DOJreport
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Worcester city officials create DOJ report webpage for public
A new public webpage with a timeline of initiatives related to the scathing DOJ report on the Worcester Police Department has been established by city officials. The resources are aimed at explaining to the community what work the city is doing to address recommendations from both the DOJ and Center for Naval Analyses (CNA), which conducted the audit. The report, released in December last year, found that officers in the Worcester Police Department used excessive force, engaged in discriminatory practices and engaged in illegal sex acts with vulnerable women. The DOJ outlined 19 recommendations for the police department, ranging from improvements in the use of force standards, to 'a complete prohibition on engaging in sexual contact for law enforcement purposes.' But beyond those recommendations, the DOJ has left it up to the city to take next steps — ones that residents are eager to see. 'My Administration has emphasized our commitment to transparency as we've worked to address these recommendations,' City Manager Eric D. Batista said. 'We have shown that commitment through communications to the City Council and the public, and we are now taking a further step with these public resources, which will continue to be actively updated with the latest information and new initiatives,' Batista said. The webpage will have detailed updates describing progress related to the 34 recommendations developed by CNA, and a timeline that shows all initiatives and programs implemented by the police department related to the findings of the DOJ report. Following a Summary Report on the DOJ findings that was submitted to the Worcester City Council in March this year, city officials said the department has taken further steps to address the findings. These include applying to the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Program and the allocation of funds for Bureau of Professional Standards (BOPS) internal affairs software that will help break down BOPS reports. The department has also given 'color-of-law' training to 400 officers on topics like use of force, obstruction of justice and sexual assault, the officials said. Similar resources will also be developed for the audits of the Human Resources and Health & Human Services departments. The news comes after residents demanded further reform within the police department in March, and said the the Worcester City Council and Batista need to take the report seriously. At a council meeting that month, the council members discussed the report and the revisions in the department's policy as outlined by Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier in a communication to the city manager on March 4. They also heard from residents who said they do not feel safe around the Worcester Police Department. 'This disgusting culture has to change. Many of these officers have no empathy, no compassion, no civility for the public,' said William Gardiner, a former Worcester Police Officer. 'And that won't stand.' At the time, the residents demanded a Civilian Oversight Board. While they appreciated Saucier's reforms, they said it didn't help with 'transparency and accountability' — and 'that's what we need,' said Keith Linhares, a Worcester resident running for District 1 councilor this year. 'More people in this community are worried about trust,' Linhares said. Driver injured after crashing into 2 Springfield homes Mass. beach closures: Nearly 40 beaches closed on Sunday, July 13 Gardener's Supply Co. bankruptcy is set to hit WMass farms hard Conn. casino winner: Slots machine bet ends in $211,079 jackpot These towns are still out of compliance with housing law as deadline looms Read the original article on MassLive.
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Trump denies coverup in Jeffrey Epstein case
US President Donald Trump has pushed back against claims of a coverup in the Jeffrey Epstein case, defending his administration's handling of the release of files related to the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender's death in jail. Some of Trump's allies, including journalist Tucker Carlson and former adviser Steve Bannon, have criticized a report by the Department of Justice and the FBI, which found no evidence of a list of powerful individuals to whom Epstein trafficked underage girls. The report also found no signs of foul play in Epstein's 2019 death at a Manhattan correctional facility, which was ruled a suicide. In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump claimed that the so-called Epstein Files were created by prominent Democrats, including former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. 'They created the Epstein Files, just like they created the FAKE Hillary Clinton/Christopher Steele Dossier that they used on me, and now my so-called 'friends' are playing right into their hands,' he wrote. 'Why didn't these Radical Left Lunatics release the Epstein Files? If there was ANYTHING in there that could have hurt the MAGA Movement, why didn't they use it?' he added. Trump defended his Attorney General Pam Bondi and argued that federal agencies should instead focus on investigating Democrat-linked scandals and corruption, as well as the 2020 presidential election, which he continues to claim was rigged in favor of Joe Biden. 'LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB – SHE'S GREAT!' Trump wrote. He previously said that the Epstein case has been used to distract from more pressing issues, including the deadly floods in Texas. FBI Director Kash Patel also dismissed the allegations. 'The conspiracy theories just aren't true, never have been,' he wrote on X. Critics have pointed to a minute-long gap in the surveillance footage outside Epstein's cell on the night of his death, claiming the tape had been doctored. Bondi, however, denied that there was anything suspicious about the video. The debate surrounding the case has reportedly caused a rift within the government, with several news outlets claiming that FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is considering resignation.
