Worcester, Massachusetts

On March 29, 2019, Worcester Police Department officers arrested Rodriguez and three other people during a brawl outside a nightclub. Rodriguez alleged that the officers sicced a police dog on him without just cause and then filed false reports to justify charging him with assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, disturbing the peace, and disorderly conduct. Worcester Police initially claimed that Rodriguez had punched an officer, but video footage contradicted their account and led to most charges being dropped. A U.S. Department of Justice report described the incident as an example of improper use of a police dog, noting that the dog continued to bite well after the officers had Rodriguez under control. Rodriguez alleged that he suffered significant scarring, atrophy, and deformity to his left leg, as well as mental distress, and that he required repeated hospital visits while in custody.

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.

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.

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.