New Boston Police Commissioner Suspended 2 Days After Swearing In

Boston, MA – The Boston mayor swore in a new police commissioner on Monday and then suspended him on Wednesday after a more than 20-year-old domestic violence allegation surfaced.

Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White was sworn in on Feb. 1 by Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, the Boston Globe reported.

Former Boston Police Commissioner William Gross retired unexpectedly on Jan. 29 after 37 years on the Boston Police Department.

The mayor said Commissioner White, the 43rd head of the nation’s oldest police force, had been asked to quickly step into the role in order to create a smooth transition, the WCVB reported.

Commissioner White is a 32-year veteran of the Boston police force.

He lasted two days before Walsh suspended him pending investigation because of some “disturbing issues” of which he’d learned.

The mayor announced on Feb. 3 that he had placed Commissioner White on leave while an outside group would be hired “to conduct a full and impartial investigation” into a 1999 allegation of domestic violence, The Boston Globe reported.

Commissioner White allegedly pushed, and then threatened to shoot, his wife at the time, who was also a Boston police officer.

The Boston Globe reported that a judge issued a restraining order against him on May 5, 1999.

Commissioner White was ordered to vacate the home, stay away from his family, and surrender his service weapon, according to the Boston Globe.

Court records showed that Commissioner White denied the allegations at the time.

“These disturbing issues were not known to me or my staff, but should have been at the forefront,” the mayor said in a statement. “Upon learning of these serious allegations, I immediately acted.”

Walsh announced that he has appointed Boston Police Superintendent-in-Chief Gregory Long to serve as acting commissioner while the allegations are investigated, the Boston Globe reported.

Commissioner White has been a member of the Boston police brass for a long time.

He rose to the rank of superintendent and became former Commissioner Gross’s chief of staff after serving as deputy superintendent in the Office of the Superintendent-in-Chief and in the Bureau of Field Services Night Command, WCVB reported.