FY22 Safety, Justice, and Healing
The FY22 budget includes significant levels of investment in several key public safety initiatives to ensure that public safety responses are delivered equitably in a community based model.
The FY22 budget allows the City to invest in a systematic renewal of how we ensure public safety. Funding to research new methods of public safety response as well as a deeper look at current policies and procedures will keep all Bostonians safe.
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Still have questions? Contact:
Budget
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1 City Hall Square
Room 813Boston, MA 02201-2037
Office of Police Accountability
The FY22 budget establishes and funds for $1 million the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency (OPAT). Led by three Commissioners, OPAT will:
- review and resolve complaints made against the Boston Police Police Department's (BPD) Internal Investigation team;
- review and revolve civilian complaints;
- advise the Mayor and the BPD on policing policy;
- investigate current and historic disparate treatment of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (“BIPOC”) officers in the BPD; and,
- publish reports on the BPD’s progress on its various reform goals.
In addition to a Executive Director and central staff, OPAT includes the following programs:
The Civilian Review Board (CRB) is responsible for the resolution of civilian complaints. With investigatory assistance from the OPAT staff, the CRB will deliberate and make a finding for each complaint. CRB determinations should be final and determination outcomes should be published in OPAT’s semi-annual report.
The Internal Affairs Oversight Panel (IAOP), which was formerly known as the CO-OP. The IAOP will review completed internal affairs investigations at its discretion and without limitation to the number of investigations it may review.
The IAOP will have five members serving three year terms. Following investigation and review of an internal affairs investigation, the IAOP will deliberate and make one of the following findings: (1) agree with the IAD decision; (2) disagree with the IAD decision; or (3) refer back to Internal Affairs for further investigation or action.
The future of policing
The FY22 budget continues to invest in the future of policing.
This year's budget contains a transformative investment in alternative policing. The Office of Health and Human Services will receive $1,750,000 to study models of alternative policing around the country, make a recommendation as to the best path for the City of Boston, and begin training. They will work with the Public Health Commission and the Police Department to make sure all stakeholders are at the table.
The City is also funding two police classes to increase the size of the force by 30 and will increase cadet recruits by 50% from 40 to 60 in order to promote diversity. The cadet program continues to successfully provide public safety opportunities to a diverse pipeline of local young people.
Other FY22 investments in Boston's police force include:
- A $1 million investment for diversity and implicit bias training for all officers, as part of the renewal of policing
- A $500,000 investment in the Medical unit for triage and additional clinicians, with the specific goal of getting injured officers back to work quickly
Fire Department and Emergency Management Services
Boston's Emergency Management Services (EMS) will receive $546,000 for EMS essential equipment replacement. The next EMT class begins in August 2021. EMS will continue their successful mentorship partnership with City Academy. This program provides additional mentorship and support to EMT recruits that meet an income threshold, ensuring their success.
The Fire Department continues to be a leader in safety and education. The City's Enhanced Apparatus Replacement Plan will replace 6 trucks in FY22 and will have replaced a total of 86% of the fleet over nine years. The department will also receive funding to start the planning process for the first Fire Cadet Class, and continue to receive funding for critical building repair projects and the industrial cleaning program. In addition, the FY22 budget also funds the reinstatement of District 10, which includes the addition of four District Chiefs.
Learn more about the budget
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Still have questions? Contact:
Budget
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1 City Hall Square
Room 813Boston, MA 02201-2037
