HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Shielded from Justice: Police Brutality and Accountability in the United States
Boston:

St. Clair Commission Report
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The St. Clair Commission report was submitted to Mayor Flynn on January 14, 1992. The commission found "substantial problems in the leadership and management of the Department and recommends major changes" including the resignation of then-police Commissioner Francis Roache. Furthermore, its chair stated:

    Our study revealed an investigative and hearing process characterized by shoddy, halfhearted investigations, lengthy delays, and inadequate documentation and record-keeping. The present Internal Affairs process is unfairly skewed against those bringing a complaint. Given the Internal Affairs Division's ("IAD") failure to routinely provide thorough and timely investigations of alleged misconduct, and the fact that the Department sustains less than 6% of complaints against officers, it is no surprise that the overwhelming majority of community residents we spoke to have little confidence in the Department's ability or willingness to police itself. The IAD reports to the Commissioner and its shortcomings adversely reflect on his performance.4

By describing in detail the shortcomings of the department and providing recommendations toward improving it, the St. Clair Commission report became something of a blueprint for police reform efforts in the city.

Racial tensions between minority communities and the predominantly white police force did not begin with the Stuart case, but the overzealous conduct of the police during that period reinforced many communities' belief that the police force was unduly suspicious and disrespectful of African-Americans and other minorities. The St. Clair Commission report found that 50 percent of complainants were black and 9 percent were of other minority groups. African-Americans make up approximately 26 percent of the city's population, with other minority groupsaccounting for about 15 percent. As of 1996, 69 percent of the Boston police force was white.5


4 St. Clair Commission report, p. iv.

5 Boston Police Department, 1996 Annual Report, p. 24. The annual report does not provide information regarding the race of complainants.

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© June 1998
Human Rights Watch