Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Worcester Human Rights Commissioners recommend tighter data collection and equity review for K-9 policy
Summary
Commissioners Anahit Marudian and Clerk Carrie Witherell reviewed the Worcester Police Department’s draft canine unit policy, praised some changes but urged stronger provisions on racial-disparity data, clarity for behavioral-health incidents and earlier review of a new canine use-of-force form.
At the Human Rights Commission’s August meeting, commissioners Anahit Marudian and Carrie Witherell presented a joint review of the Worcester Police Department’s draft canine (K-9) unit policy and offered recommendations for changes focused on equity, clarity and data collection.
Marudian summarized national and local context: police canine teams have a long history of both law enforcement use and controversy. She noted the U.S. Department of Justice’s December 2024 report finding that the Worcester Police Department engaged in excessive use of force, including unjustified use of tasers and K-9s, and said the commission’s review is responding to that history.
Witherell said the draft policy incorporates many recommended practices from national…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
