WORCESTER POLICE PATROLMAN’S UNION, NEPBA LOCAL 911 RE: OFFICER RESPONSE TO VIOLENCE IN WORCESTER

WORCESTER MEDIA OUTLETS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM: WORCESTER POLICE PATROLMAN’S UNION, NEPBA LOCAL 911 RE: OFFICER RESPONSE TO VIOLENCE IN WORCESTER DATE: June 3, 2020

This statement is issued with hesitation, as clearly the division that exists everywhere in our country will likely cause it to be received in ways which best serve a particular group or individual’s point of view. We are compelled to comment, however, after the difficult events of this week in Worcester, and in light of the current challenges facing police officers and our citizens everywhere.

First, the Worcester Police Patrolman’s Union in no way condones the police conduct in Minnesota. We condemn it. Such conduct is contrary to everything we in Worcester have worked to achieve. Our members appreciate and depend on good relations with our community. We do not fear transparency. We answer well over 130,000 calls for help every year. Only a tiny fraction of that number – less than .0002% – result in use of force complaints. We are not perfect, but we are very proud of our officers’ efforts under trying circumstances to police the second largest city in New England.

Worcester is a diverse community, and our police officers – some 400 of us – are from all walks of life. We are white officers, African American officers, Hispanic officers and Asian officers, both male and female. We work side by side every day and every night in a nation that can be dangerous – one that literally has more guns than citizens. We respond to violent scenes, with violent individuals, and we respond there because someone called for our help. We leave our families to do this work protecting our community. We often respond in the middle of the night while most people are home, asleep with their own families. We work in emergencies, most recently during this pandemic. Our job carries risk – more than 600 police American police officers have died in the line of duty in the past few years.

Now, in addition to the lawful protests, we are asked to stand and secure our community during this period of sometimes intentionally violent unrest. This particular violence is different, it is propagandized by a large, well-organized, and sometimes armed groups of individuals. Despite who we are as a department and individuals, and despite our record within our community, we have been painted with a broad brush by many as criminals and as murderers.

A statement by the leaders of Clark University was issued recently condemning our officers, even though the people issuing the statement prefaced it by claiming not to know the facts and circumstances about what happened. Is that the $60,000 per year education one receives at Clark University – teaching students to make sweeping character assassinations of an entire group of public safety workers though admitting you don’t know the facts or circumstances? We want to put some context into the events of last night, so those who want to issue statements from the sidelines are more informed on the events of the evening.

First, our officers did not interfere with anyone’s right to lawfully protest. More than 1,000 people freely assembled for several hours at City Hall without incident. Our police chief was fully engaged in these events and joined in kneeling with many of those present. Our members policed this event professionally.

After dark, however, the following events took place after all the peaceful protesters had left the Worcester Common:

• An armed man on the roof of a store on Main and May street with five (5) Molotov cocktails bombs – gas filled bottles with rags – prepared and threatening to throw onto police officers;
• Violent individuals using fireworks as weapons against police – shooting flairs at police, shooting fireworks and roman candles at officers, throwing firecrackers at officers, resulting in some officers’ uniforms actually catching fire;
• Violent individuals throwing rocks and glass bottles at, and hitting, officers;
• Individuals lighting bushes on fire, smashing in windows of businesses, and damaging cars and other property.

Despite these circumstances of a group of some 80-100, many with bad intentions, WPD made only about 19 arrests.

To those who lawfully protest and object to the conduct in Minnesota, we join you. To our city, we stand with you. To our community, we ask that you stand with us and denounce those people advocating violence against police officers, as well as those giving support to such efforts.

Respectfully in solidarity,
Executive Board, Worcester Police Patrolman’s Union, NEPBA Local 911