BOSTON (WHDH) - Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh said in a statement Wednesday night that he was placing new Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White on administrative leave amid an investigation into “serious allegations” that surfaced after he was sworn in on Monday.
“In an attempt to create a smooth transition and honor former Commissioner Gross’s desire to spend time with his family, Dennis White was asked to quickly step into the role of Police Commissioner, beginning last Friday,” Walsh said in a statement. “These disturbing issues were not known to me or my staff, but should have been at the forefront. Upon learning of these serious allegations, I immediately acted, placing the Commissioner on administrative leave, while corporation counsel engages outside counsel to conduct a full and impartial investigation.”
Walsh addressed the situation again after his Senate committee hearing for labor secretary Thursday.
“The commissioner has been Chief of Staff for the department for the last three years under the previous commissioner and has been in the command staff for several years now, so that’s why we’re going to do an outside look at it to see what’s serious,” he told 7’s Dan Hausle.
White was sworn in as the city’s 43rd police commissioner, replacing former Police Commissioner William G. Gross, who announced his retirement last month.
Superintendent-in-Chief Gregory Long will serve as acting commissioner while the investigation plays out.
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