Police audit report released; forum set for April 5
By Jay TurnerThe independent audit of the Canton Police Department, commissioned by voters in the wake of the investigation into the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, has now been completed and has been made available to the public for review.
Residents are encouraged to download a pdf copy of the full report and bring whatever questions they may have to the public forum scheduled for this Saturday, April 5, from 2-5 p.m. at Canton High School. (See ad on page 6 for additional details on the forum.)
Prepared by 5 Stones Intelligence, the 206-page report includes a comprehensive evaluation of the department’s adherence to policies and procedures as well as key recommendations and areas in need of improvement. Topics covered include crime scene protocols, evidence handling, professional standards and accountability, hiring and training standards, the internal affairs process, citizen complaints, and more.
The report includes an assessment of the CPD’s response to the January 2022 death of John O’Keefe and makes note of “policy breaches” and other shortcomings related to crime scene preservation. It does not, however, make any “findings of fact or conclusions of law” regarding that or any other ongoing criminal investigation or pending legal matter involving the CPD.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Bob McCarthy, chair of the Police Audit Committee, noted that the report was “made publicly available on the town website immediately upon receipt.”
“Town officials and the Police Audit Committee are now carefully reviewing the findings to assess any necessary next steps,” McCarthy stated. “The committee is committed to working with all stakeholders, including the Police Department, town leadership, and residents, to ensure that any recommendations are thoughtfully considered and appropriately implemented.”
The Audit Committee is scheduled to meet tonight at 7 p.m. at Town Hall to hear an executive summary of the audit from representatives of 5 Stones Intelligence. The meeting will take place in the Salah Meeting Room and is open to the public.
“We wish to thank our vendor and all committee members for their diligent work,” said McCarthy. “We appreciate the community’s engagement in this process and will continue to provide updates as we move forward.”
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=131358
Posted by Jay Turner
on Apr 3 2025. Filed under Top Stories.
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