How to reform the Boston Police
Correction: Senator Dianne Wilkerson's column on Tuesday incorrectly stated the number of Boston police districts. There are 11, not 13. Also, she stated that no African-American commands any of the districts. Captain James Claiborne, an African-American, is commander of District 13.
THE BOSTON Police Department is not responsible for the social or familial circumstances that have resulted in the drastic surge in homicides, particularly those by young people. Why young people kill is one issue. When they do kill, however, it is the responsibility of the police to investigate and arrest the perpetrators. The fact is that the Boston Police Department has not been successful on this front.
Unless we focus on why and develop strategies that directly address this critical public safety issue, we will continue to watch helplessly as more young people die and whole communities submit to fear. There are systemic, social, and practical reasons why there are so few arrests. We must work to get past the surface discussion about T-shirts, adding more police officers, mothers stepping forward, and community cooperation and responsibility.
The Boston Police Department is structured on an antiquated system that may have made sense years ago, but is ineffective in the 21st-century reality of crime and its culture:
Homicide detectives don't work after 1 a.m., a time when night life is busy and criminal activity abounds. Whether by tradition or collective bargaining, this policy must be changed. It simply makes no sense today.
The Homicide Unit and the Gang Unit of the department are not even housed in the same building or under the same supervision. First step: Put them under the same roof. Second: Put them under the same supervision. The turf wars over jurisdiction must be broken down. The Gang Unit has invaluable and critical information based on their effective day-to-day work on the street. It makes sense that it be wholly integrated into the work of the Homicide Unit.
The lack of racial and ethnic diversity in the supervisory or officer ranks is troubling and a major impediment to crime solving, particularly in minority communities where residents are more likely to share information with folks who look like them or share the culture and language. There is no Cape Verdean in the Homicide Unit, and the number of Latinos is embarrassing given the demographics of Boston. It is important that Boston's diversity be celebrated for real by integrating all levels of the police department to create the kind of climate that leads to better problem solving capabilities.
The circle of violence has expanded to witnesses and family members. It is folly to suggest that mothers and community residents come forward given the reality on the street that witnesses are not safe and the police are unable to protect them. We must do more than say to mothers ''turn in your children." Of course people know more than they are willing to say. But unless we create a safe and protective environment where community people can come forward without fear of reprisal, you cannot expect people to risk their lives under the mantle of ''community or personal responsibility." It is common knowledge that arrests were made in less than 30 percent of the record 75 homicides in 2005. That sends a message to perpetrators and families living in terror that those who kill in Boston can literally get away with murder.
The level of mistrust between community and police has never been higher. At least two of the Homicide Unit detectives investigating high-profile murders in the past few years were moved or demoted. The community has a right to know why.
The Boston Police Department has much work to do to reclaim the community's trust. But the city and affected communities also have a responsibility. Those offended by recent statements suggesting that the need for a greater level of individual, familial, and community responsibility cooperating with the police are probably more offended by who said it than by what was said. What was said is true. But if the ''right" folks didn't say it, then we need to figure out who the right folks are because it must not only be said but acted upon. Neither the elected officials, clergy, police, nor community can do this alone. Unless the right people are in the room, it just won't work. We have a bad Boston habit of inviting only those to the table that we feel comfortable talking to. What happens then is that we don't hear what we must from the folks with the most credibility and respect where it matters, on the street.
For too long, high test scores have been used as the best predictor of good police officers and leadership within the department. High scores are used to justify hiring and promotions. Perhaps it's time to accept the stark reality that, if high test scores do not mean you can successfully investigate and solve a homicide, maybe it is no longer a reliable determinant, if it ever was.
It's time to try something new. Let's look at the barriers that preclude us from effectively dealing with all aspects of a multi-faceted problem that has spiraled out of control. Working together, we can turn this around.
Dianne Wilkerson is a state senator from Boston. 
