Worcester hears hours of testimony after DOJ summary alleging police abuses; council asks manager for response

Worcester City Council on a packed night devoted dozens of public speakers to responses after a Department of Justice summary alleged that some Worcester Police Department officers committed sexual assaults and other misconduct against unhoused and prostituted women. Survivors, advocates and community organizers urged the council to issue a formal apology, allocate a building for a women-only shelter and provide financial and mental-health support for people harmed by the conduct outlined in the DOJ summary.

“Please put a stop to this and redress our concerns as soon as possible,” said Amy Ebison, a Rutland resident who said the city must “believe survivors” and treat the DOJ findings as evidence of a systemic culture that allows abuse. Sati, identified in the public comment as coordinator of Project Priceless, said the group had already lost members since organizing last year and demanded an apology and a permanent shelter: “We are demanding a public apology from every last one of you for the abuses committed against women that you’ve left to die on the streets.”

Police union leaders and on-duty officers also filled the chamber to dispute the DOJ summary and press for more transparency from the federal investigators. Thomas Duffy, representing the Worcester Police Officers, called the published summary “a total disgrace” and asked the city to demand the DOJ release the full investigatory record and the names of the report’s authors. Several union representatives told the council they oppose entering a consent decree or long-term memorandum of agreement with the DOJ, saying many of the remedial policies the report recommends are already in place.

City Manager said he acknowledged survivors who spoke and apologized “for anyone who felt that the statement from our outside counsel was dismissive,” while also defending his decision to have legal counsel review the summary and contest factual inaccuracies. He said the administration will begin formal discussions with the DOJ and the U.S. Attorney’s Office the next day and is willing to consider a third-party review to clarify allegations and identify accountable individuals.

Mayor Petty moved that the administration deliver a written response to the council — including supporting data, assessments of whether each DOJ recommendation is a matter of policy, practice or procedure, and proposed next steps — within about 30 days if practical. The council voted to refer a package of petitions and requests to the city manager and to relevant committees, while holding other items under privilege to protect the confidentiality of people who reported sexual assault.

The meeting left several clear near-term steps: the manager’s team will meet DOJ lawyers to begin negotiation and fact-finding; the council sent Project Priceless’ petitions to the manager for implementation planning; and several councilors proposed audits, performance reviews and a civic process to consider civilian oversight and reparations. Councilors also emphasized both the need to protect survivors’ anonymity and the need for procedural rigor that preserves due process for employees under investigation.

The council did not adopt any disciplinary actions at the meeting; instead, it directed the administration to gather more material and report back. The manager said he is committed to working with community groups on shelter options and other supports while engaging with the DOJ on the investigation.