In the wake of a major announcement today about the departure of Boston Police Commissioner Bill Evans, the city turns its attention to the next commissioner, William Gross, Evans’ superintendent-in-chief.
Gross is also the first black police commissioner in the city’s history.
Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett Price joined Boston Public Radio today to talk about Mayor Marty Walsh’s and Evans’ announcement.
Price said he’s hoping for even more collaboration between the department and MAMLEO, the Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers.
“I’m hoping that [Gross] will do even more than Commissioner Evans did ... working with them and hoping to bridge not only that group, but also all of the other groups of folks who really need to be heard, who really need to have their voices really elevated and amplified,” said Price.
Price discussed some of the issues the association has been working on, including claims of diversity inequity in the department.
“There are some other issues in the trenches which MAMLEO has been working on for years, if not decades, and I think this may be a moment where the sun and the moon align, where conversations could be taken to the next level,” said Price.
Monroe agreed, saying she was also hopeful about more marginalized groups getting more of a platform.
“That group that Emmett just mentioned has been on the sidelines and has been fighting to be heard and be visible about a number of issues,” said Monroe.
Monroe spoke about Gross’ background growing up in a home run by a single mother, and how his being raised in a tight-knit community will serve him well in the department.
Gross credited his family with some of his success during a press conference today.
“I think he’s the right person, because he has that kind of gravitas and trust with the community, Monroe said. “[He] can speak their language and understand the attitudes and moods of a people at certain times when there are issues of race looming large across the country, but particularly in Boston.”
Rev. Irene Monroe is a syndicated religion columnist and the Boston voice for Detour’s African American Heritage Trail. Rev. Emmett Price is professor of Worship, Church & Culture and founding executive director of the Institute for the Study of the Black Christian Experience at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
