Former Boston police commissioner says he would call in National Guard to help with protests
Former Boston police commissioner Ed Davis on how he would handle unrest and restore peace to protests.
Boston Police Commissioner William Gross says he's feeling uneasy after an incident Tuesday involving a group of “hostile” protesters that allegedly interfered with a firearms arrest.
The department said in a statement covered by CBS4 that officers on duty June 23 were “surrounded and assaulted” by the crowd around 5:40 p.m. while attempting to engage the suspect, who was wearing a fanny pack and had been reported to have a weapon.
MICHIGAN YOUTH CENTER STAFFERS CHARGED AFTER DEATH OF RESTRAINED BLACK TEEN RULED HOMICIDE
“I’m alarmed by the level of hostility my officers had to face while arresting a felon armed with an illegal firearm,” Gross said in a statement. “They were attacked by members of the very same community they were attempting to protect by affecting this arrest. ... Public safety is a shared responsibility. We need to continue to work together, not in opposition.”
As police tried to gain control of the suspect, 44-year-old Jermaine Thomas, the crowd grew and someone opened a fire hydrant, aiming a heavy flow of water in their direction. Thomas was able to grab an officer’s wrist, causing a police body camera to be knocked to the ground.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Officers recovered a loaded revolver and charged Thomas with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and resisting arrest.
He is expected to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court.