In 1996, an internal police investigation revealed that Boston officer Patrick Rose Sr. “more than likely” sexually abused a child the year before. And after an alleged cover-up, Rose not only stayed on the force for two more decades, but was promoted to union chief!
67-year-old Rose raped six children, aged seven to 16, over a period of 27 years. But he was still allowed to interact with children while on the force – even victims of sexual abuse!
“Your job as a cop protecting people?” One of his victims challenged in court. “[Well] that's really quite ironic isn't it?”
Then-mayor Kim Janey was also horrified by the police department’s handling of Rose’s abuse. Unfortunately, police sexual misconduct is common, and involves teenagers 40% of the time.
“We believed at the time, and we still believe, that everything that could be done by the Boston Police Department was done in this matter to hold Rose accountable,” police officials said in 2021. Really? If this is how they feel, how many people like Patrick Rose are patrolling our streets, never to be held accountable?
If the system of policing was focused on reducing harm done to our communities or helping officers hold themselves accountable, people like Rose would NOT be moving up in the ranks to accrue more power. But the truth is, the system ENABLES this behavior