Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White fired amid abuse allegations

Video - Janey becomes Boston's first Black, female mayor"/>

Boston Mayor Kim Janey announced Monday that she had fired the city’s police commissioner, Dennis White, after allegations of domestic violence against him since 1999 surfaced in a Boston Globe investigation.

Janey announced that the 32-year-old Boston Police Department veteran had been fired, saying the allegations “had eroded public confidence in his judgment” and “raised serious questions about his suitability to lead the Boston Police Department. Boston ”.

Marty Walsh, the city’s former mayor, appointed White Police Commissioner in one of his last acts before becoming US Secretary of Labor.

In February, two days after White was sworn in, he was suspended on charges of domestic violence, including hitting and threatening to shoot his ex-wife, as well as punching and pushing other members. of the family. Details of the allegations were published in an independent investigation report obtained by the Washington Post and provided to the city on April 29.

“These worrying issues weren’t known to me or my staff, but should have been in the foreground,” Walsh told the Boston Globe. “Upon learning of these serious allegations, I immediately acted. “

White denied the allegations, telling investigators that he had hit a self-defense niece and that he and his ex-wife had pushed each other.

White’s attorney Nicholas B. Carter said in a statement to USA TODAY that he was “deeply disappointed” with Janey’s decision and called the investigation biased.

“He’s a black man, falsely accused of crimes, who didn’t get a fair trial or hearing, then convicted or fired, which is the equivalent here,” Carter said in the statement. . “It reflects an ugly pattern in our country. “

Carter claimed investigators failed to interview two of White’s daughters, who he said gave sworn testimony that White’s ex-wife was a “violent serial abuser” and that the allegations against White are false . Carter said White intended to file a civil rights complaint.

The former couple’s other daughter said her mother had been abused “emotionally, mentally and physically,” according to the Boston Globe.

Janey denied that race played a role in the investigation at the press conference and added that White did not fully cooperate during the investigation and was a “recurring presence” at police headquarters as he was on administrative leave.

“It is clear that Dennis White’s return as Commissioner would send a chilling message to victims of domestic violence in our city,” she said.

The April 29 independent report into White’s detailed allegations stretching back decades by White’s ex-wife, who was also a Boston police officer, and other family members and witnesses. White’s ex-wife claimed he pushed and hit her and threatened to shoot her, according to the report. She kept a diary during their marriage and gave it to a relative, who told investigators that White’s ex-wife told them, “If anything happens to me, I want you to have this. newspaper…. If anything happened to me, it would be Dennis. “

A friend of White and his ex-wife told police that after a confrontation with his ex-wife and another person, he said he “wanted to shoot both”. White told police he was “kidding” and wouldn’t act on it.

A witness told police they saw the ex-wife with a broken lip, scars, cuts and scrapes from fights.

Witnesses said White’s ex-wife was “very private” about their relationship, according to the report. A witness said his “entire demeanor changed” if White looked in his direction. Another witness said she told him about specific cases of abuse, including allegations that White burned his hair, put his face against a stove and stepped on him.

The report also states that White’s daughter said her father once told her he slept with a gun under his pillow.

White’s ex-wife obtained a restraining order in May 1999, according to the report. The Boston Globe reported that the order required White to leave his home, stay away from his wife and children, and turn in his service weapon. The newspaper could not find evidence of any charges against White and reported that at the time he denied the abuse allegations in court.

The report stated that the internal affairs division of the police department had examined allegations of domestic violence in 1999 and found “negligence of duty and unreasonable judgment”.

The report also describes an argument between White and a niece over the niece who owes White $ 10. The niece alleged that White hit her, threw her down the stairs and pushed her out of the front door. White denied pushing him down the stairs and told the police department’s Home Affairs division that his niece charged and pushed and beat her in self-defense. The internal affairs division did not uphold the complaint about the incident.

Statements from White’s attorney shared with USA TODAY deny allegations that White abused his ex-wife or family members.

On Monday, Janey said she would launch a national search for a commissioner and hopes to appoint one towards the end of the year. She also announced plans for screening and background checks on candidates for leadership positions.

“Bostonians must have confidence that law enforcement officers themselves are people of integrity,” Janey said.

Contact News NOW Reporter Christine Fernando at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @christinetfern.

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