William G. Gross

William G. Gross (pronunciation , born c. 1964) is a former American police officer who served as Commissioner of the Boston Police Department from August 2018 to January 2021.

For other people with similar names, see William Gross.
William G. Gross
Gross attending a Disabled American Veterans event in South Boston in 2018
Commissioner of the
Boston Police Department
In office
August 6, 2018 – January 29, 2021
Preceded byWilliam B. Evans
Succeeded byDennis White
Personal details
Born1963/1964 (age 56–57)[1]
Maryland

Early life

Gross was born in rural Maryland to a single mother, the middle of three children, and moved to Boston at the age of 12.[2] He graduated from Boston Technical High School (now the John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics & Science).[2] He then entered the Boston Police Cadet Program, becoming a Patrol Officer two years later.[3]

Gross earned an Associate in Science degree in Criminal Justice from Quincy College in 2017.[4]

Boston Police Department

As a Patrol Officer, Gross served in the Gang Unit and the Drug Control Unit, and later was an instructor at the Boston Police Academy. He achieved the ranks of Sergeant and Sergeant Detective, and then became Deputy Superintendent in 2008, where he worked with District Captains to develop strategies to address crime trends and attended community meetings to address specific neighborhood crime concerns. In 2010, he became commander of the Field Support Division, which includes the Youth Violence Strike Force (Gang Unit) and the School Police Unit. In 2012, he was promoted to Superintendent, Night Commander, responsible for oversight of all police responses to incidents on a citywide basis at night.[5] In March 2017, Gross was again promoted, becoming the first Black Superintendent in Chief of the Boston police.[6]

Commissioner

On August 6, 2018, Boston mayor Marty Walsh officiated the ceremony during which Gross was sworn in as Commissioner of the Boston Police Department.[7] Gross became the department's 42nd commissioner, and first Black commissioner.[3][8] When Gross resigned Boston's homicide rate (57) was at an eight year high. He oversaw a review of the department's use-of-force policies, police body cameras were issued to half the force, and he established the first Bureau of Community Engagement for the Boston police.[9]

On January 28, 2021, Gross announced his retirement, effective the next day.[10] The retirement was considered "abrupt", with Gross citing the desire to spend more time with family.[11] Superintendent Dennis White was sworn in as his successor, two days later White was placed on leave after court records documenting domestic violence surfaced.[12] While Gross considered becoming a candidate in the 2021 Boston mayoral election, he stated at the time of his retirement that he decided against running.[11]

References
  1. "History made as Evans bows out". The Boston Globe. July 24, 2018. p. A1. Retrieved January 29, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  2. Levenson, Michael (July 24, 2018). "Gross offers community ties, deep experiences". The Boston Globe. p. A1. Retrieved January 29, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  3. Valencia, Milton J. (2018-08-05). "William Gross, set to be sworn in as Boston's first black police commissioner, was an officer in the making, friends say". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
  4. "Photos: Quincy College 60th anniversary". Wicked Local. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  5. "Mayor Walsh Announces Departure of William B. Evans and Appoints William Gross as Commissioner of Boston Police Department" (Press release). Boston, Massachusetts: Boston Police Department. 2018-07-23. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  6. "Mayor Walsh Appoints William B. Evans Police Commissioner of the Boston Police Department, Superintendent William Gross Named First African-American Chief in Department History" (Press release). City of Boston. March 29, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via Boston.gov.
  7. Ellement, John R.; Valencia, Milton J. (2018-08-06). "William Gross sworn in as 42nd Boston Police commissioner". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
  8. Walters, Quincy (August 6, 2018). "Boston's Newest Police Commissioner Willie Gross Is Black, Blue And 'All Cop'". WBUR-FM. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  9. "William Gross to Retire; Mayor Appoints Dennis White as 43rd Boston Police Commissioner". boston.gov (Press release). January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  10. Cotter, Sean Philip (2021-01-28). "Boston Police Commissioner Gross to retire". Boston Herald. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  11. McDonald, Danny; Estes, Andrea (January 28, 2021). "In Boston mayoral race, Essaibi-George says she's in and Gross says he's out". The Boston Globe. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  12. "Boston Police Commissioner William Gross Retiring, Dennis White To Take His Place". WBZ-TV. 2021-01-28. Retrieved 2021-01-28 – via cbslocal.com.

Further reading
Police appointments
Preceded by
William B. Evans		 Commissioner of the Boston Police Department
2018–2021		 Succeeded by
Dennis White
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