City Council 09/08/2026

The City Council of Worcester held a meeting on September 8, 2026, with a significant focus on police oversight and accountability. A detailed presentation was given by Kevin Levansi, the Chief Equity Officer, outlining the current internal systems for police accountability, including the Executive Office of DEI's investigatory and review processes, the use of body-worn cameras, and ongoing accreditation efforts for the police department. The presentation highlighted data trends showing a decline in excessive use of force complaints and described the partnership between DEI and the police department in handling investigations. Public comments overwhelmingly supported the establishment of a civilian review board (CRB) to enhance transparency and accountability, citing concerns about systemic racism and police misconduct. However, several council members expressed opposition to a CRB, citing the effectiveness of current measures and concerns about fairness and potential bias. The council discussed the challenges and benefits of a CRB, with motions to file the city manager's report and to receive biannual updates on accountability benchmarks passing unanimously. Other agenda items included petitions related to traffic and parking safety improvements, such as installing in-road warning light crosswalk systems. No contract awards or procurement decisions were reported during this meeting.