By Tiffany Williams –
WORCESTER, Mass. — The U.S. Department of Justice has informed the City of Worcester that it is closing its investigation into the Worcester Police Department without taking further action and without sustaining any allegations contained in its 2024 report.
City officials announced Thursday that they had been notified by the Department of Justice that the federal review had concluded.
The decision brings an end to a closely watched federal investigation that examined the Worcester Police Department and its policies and practices.
According to the city, efforts to strengthen policing practices had already begun before the Justice Department released its original report in 2024.
Municipal leaders said those initiatives continued after the report was issued and will remain in place moving forward.
City officials said the department will continue working to improve its policies and practices, emphasizing that ongoing evaluation is an important part of maintaining an effective police force.
The city stated that those efforts are intended to promote fair, safe and unbiased policing throughout the community.
The conclusion of the federal investigation means the Department of Justice will not pursue additional action related to the review.
While the investigation has ended, city officials indicated that internal efforts to review and strengthen department operations will continue.
“I want to thank the DOJ for recognizing the positive steps the WPD has taken to strengthen its policies and practices and for their thorough attention to this matter,” City Manager Eric D. Batista said. “I also want to thank Chief Saucier and the entire department for working cooperatively with the DOJ and for their work every day that helps make Worcester one of the safest mid-sized cities in the country. While the DOJ investigation may be closed, we remain committed to proactive evaluation and improvement.”
The announcement marks the close of the federal review while signaling that Worcester officials intend to continue evaluating police operations as part of the city’s ongoing commitment to improving public safety and policing practices.