BOSTON – Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis has announced that he will fire officers convicted of perjury or caught lying during internal investigations.
The commissioner said Wednesday the policy was necessary after a series of high-profile lying cases that led to costly lawsuits and tarnished the department’s reputation. He said the policy is necessary to protect the department’s credibility and integrity.
Davis thinks the public will support the policy.
Police unions say the department already has rules in place for punishing officers who lie or commit perjury. Detective Miller Thomas, president of the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society, called Davis’ announcement a publicity stunt.
One union official worried the new rule could be used to punish an officer who makes an honest mistake.