Mayor Taps First African-American Boston Police Commissioner

BOSTON, MA — Boston Mayor Martin Walsh appointed William Gross, a 33-year veteran of the department, to take over as police commissioner, making him the first African-American police commissioner in Boston. The news comes on the heels of Commissioner Bill Evans' retirement.

"Chief Gross is the right person to take on this command. I'm proud to appoint Boston's first African-American police commissioner," said Walsh. "He brings with him a lifetime of trust... He's the right person at the right time for this job."

Evans is retiring from the police department after nearly four decades.

"Willy's a great leader, so I'm going to pass the torch to him," said Evans. "His priorities are right on."

Walsh said appointing Gross to run the Boston Police Department sends a strong message.

"It's a big statement for the police department, for the Commonwealth and for the city of Boston," he said.

Gross gave thanks to the community for helping raise and mentor him. "I'm just grateful," said Gross, also giving thanks to his fellow officers.

He is slated to take the helm of the department next month.

Gross was raised by his single mother in Boston who came to the city from Baltimore. He started in Dorchester after becoming a cadet in 1983. He was on the gang unit and drug control unit. He was a sergeant, detective sergeant, and about nine years ago was elevated to command staff.

He was, most recently the superintendent-in-chief, the highest-ranking police officer in the department. Gross was responsible for the development, review, evaluation, and recommendation to the Police Commissioner of policies, procedures, and programs necessary to ensure the implementation of community policing and the effective delivery of police services to the public.

"My strategy is if it's not broke, don't fix it," but his plan is to work with the community, which he referred to multiple times as a village.

The idea is to move forward together and tackle the city's youth violence, he said.

"Biggest challenge is senseless youth violence. We're not robots. When we respond to these scenes, that could be our son that could be our daughter. That really affects us. We try hard to make sure these senseless use violence don't occur," said Gross.

Last month Gross received the 2018 Robert F. Kennedy Embracing the Legacy Award during a ceremony held at the John F. Kennedy Library in Dorchester, the department said in a release.

“The award is given to those who work tirelessly to carry on the legacy of Robert F. Kennedy by raising awareness and fighting against societal injustice and inequity that affect children and families. From all of us here at the BPD we say, congratulations Chief!”

Breaking news more to come.

Read this: Boston Police Commissioner Bill Evans To Retire

For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Boston Patch to receive free daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.

Photo by Sam Doran, State House News Service