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
- 57 Civilian staff
Full-time law enforcement officers per 1,000 residents
- 2.44 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 $1.3M in federal grant funding, FY 2015-2025
Grant funding over time
Grant funding by federal department
Recent grants
| 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 |
| $116,036.21 | 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 |
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 November 14, 2025
Settlements
We identified 3 publicly reported settlements that resulted in policy changes and $9,772,500.00 in monetary compensation to victims.
| Year | Description | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 |
In January 2023, the City of Worcester, Massachusetts, paid Carlos Alvarez Jr. $272,500 to settle his civil lawsuit accusing Worcester Police Captain Michael McKiernan of unlawfully searching his cellphone and lying about it during court testimony. On January 12, 2014, McKiernan arrested Alvarez on suspicion of dealing drugs. McKiernan then read at least one text message on Alvarez’s phone, which he used as evidence against Alvarez. According to Alvarez’s civil lawsuit, this constituted an unlawful search because McKiernan did not have a warrant. Alvarez served about three years in prison and filed a motion for a new trial in 2019, after which Massachusetts ultimately dropped the charges. |
Compensation
$272,500.00 |
| 2022 |
In October 2022, a jury awarded Natale Cosenza of Worcester, Massachusetts, more than $8 million in punitive damages in a lawsuit involving two Worcester Police sergeants. Cosenza served sixteen years in prison for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, as well as armed burglary. Cosenza was granted a new trial in 2016, and prosecutors moved to drop his charges in 2017. Cosenza filed a lawsuit alleging that police had suppressed DNA evidence to ensure his conviction. The jury found that Sergeant Kerry Hazelhurst and Sergeant John Doherty conspired to conceal and fabricate evidence. |
Compensation
$8,000,000.00 |
| 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 |