Worcester at a glance


Population by race and Hispanic origin


Cities in this database with the most similarly-sized populations

Full-time law enforcement staff, Worcester Police Department

  • 447 Officers
  • 50 Civilian staff

Full-time law enforcement officers per 1,000 residents

  • 2.4 Worcester
  • 1.6 National average, cities with 100,000 to 249,999 population
  • 2.2 National average

These figures reflect the Worcester Police Department only, and do not include state or other police agencies that may be present in this location.

Federal grant funding for Worcester

Data was last updated November 20, 2022


We identified over $1.4M in federal grant funding, FY 2014-2024

Grant funding over time

Grant funding by federal department

Recent grants

USA spending grants for: Worcester
Amount Start and end dates Recipient and description Awarding agency CFDA program Type
$122,703.00 10/1/2021
9/30/2025
CITY OF WORCESTER THE EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) PROGRAM ALLOWS UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING TRIBES, TO SUPPORT A BROAD RANGE OF ACTIVITIES TO PREVENT AND CONTROL CRIME BASED ON THEIR OWN STATE AND LOCAL NEEDS AND CONDITIONS. GRANT FUNDS CAN BE USED FOR STATE AND LOCAL INITIATIVES, … Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs 16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program Prime
$123,146.00 10/1/2020
9/30/2024
CITY OF WORCESTER NEIGHBORHOOD/CRIME WATCH MEETINGS Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs 16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program Prime
$116,037.00 10/1/2019
9/30/2023
CITY OF WORCESTER NEIGHBORHOOD/CRIME WATCH PROGRAM Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs 16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program Prime
$39,405.00 10/1/2018
3/31/2022
CITY OF WORCESTER EQUIPMENT PURCHASE Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs 16.609 Project Safe Neighborhoods Sub

View all grants

Military equipment transfers


We were unable to locate any military equipment transfers for this location using the LESO Property Transferred to Participating Agencies database published by the Defense Logistics Agency. It is possible that this location has acquired military equipment for policing via other sources or programs.

Local police misconduct data, consent decrees, and settlements

Data last updated January 26, 2022


Settlements

We identified 1 publicly reported settlement that resulted in policy changes and $1,500,000.00 in monetary compensation to victims.

Settlements
Year Description Outcome
2021

Officers Andrew Harris and Spencer Tatum filed a lawsuit against the Worcester Police Department in 1994 over discriminatory practices. In September 2021, the City of Worcester agreed to pay $1.5 million and follow an affirmative action plan.

Harris and Tatum are Black former officers who filed the lawsuit back in 1994, alleging that Worcester used discriminatory practices when promoting officers within the department, favoring the interests of White officers over minority officers. Both Black officers had passed the sergeant’s exam in the early 1990s but were passed over for promotions. After almost three decades of litigation, the city agreed to pay $1.5 million, which includes retirement payment for Tatum. Harris passed away before the case was settled.

Policy changes
Compensation
$1,500,000.00