Executive Summary
On September 28, 2026, the Boston City Council Committee on Ways & Means convened virtually to review Dockets #1671, #1672, #1673, and #1674, sponsored by Mayor Michelle Wu. The supplemental appropriation orders transfer funds from the collective bargaining reserve to the Boston Police Department's FY27 operating budget—specifically $1,951,894 for the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society and $1,366,093 for the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society Superior Officers Unit—to sustain a 2% base wage increase and contract terms previously approved under an expired collective bargaining agreement. Following a procedural objection by Councilor Edward Flynn regarding the absence of union leadership, Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society President Bob Griffin was admitted as a panelist. Council discussion centered on detective staffing shortages, 16-hour shifts, delayed promotional training classes, and the necessity of municipal funding for preventive health and cancer screenings. No committee vote was taken, with action deferred to the upcoming City Council meeting.
Procedural objection regarding witness invitations for collective bargaining hearing (Dockets #1671, #1672, #1673, and #1674)
- Procedural Dispute Raised by Councilor Edward Flynn: Prior to staff presentations, Councilor Flynn objected that leadership from the affected police unions had not been formally invited to testify. He asserted, "I do think an invitation should be extended whether at least give them the opportunity to be invited to be included because there might be some issues that they highlight that might help us do our job better."
- Committee Chair Response: Chair Benjamin Weber explained that because the terms of the collective bargaining agreement had already been reviewed and voted upon during a previous hearing in May, the current hearing was scoped narrowly to budgetary transfers presented by Budget Director Jim Williamson. Councilor Weber noted councilors could relay questions through the chair.
- Councilor Support: Councilor Erin Murphy joined Councilor Flynn in emphasizing that union representation and city labor relations officials should be present whenever labor contract appropriations are evaluated, pointing out that Detective Union President Bob Griffin was in attendance in the virtual audience.
Collective bargaining funding transfers for Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society and Superior Officers Unit (Dockets #1671, #1672, #1673, and #1674)
- Dockets Introduced:
- Docket #1671: Message and order to reduce the FY27 appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining by $1,951,894 to fund FY27 collective bargaining increases for the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society.
- Docket #1672: Message and order appropriating $1,951,894 to the Boston Police Department for FY27 cost items under the agreement with the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society.
- Docket #1673: Message and order to reduce the FY27 appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining by $1,366,093 to fund FY27 collective bargaining increases for the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society Superior Officers Unit.
- Docket #1674: Message and order appropriating $1,366,093 to the Boston Police Department for FY27 cost items under the agreement with the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society Superior Officers Unit.
- Administration Presentation: Budget Director Jim Williamson clarified that these four orders execute technical accounting transfers from the collective bargaining reserve to the department operating budget to maintain the 2% base wage increase, updated hazardous duty pay, and modified retirement sick-leave provisions established in May for the expired contract period running July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
- Council Inquiries:
- Councilor Flynn questioned the Budget Director regarding departmental health and wellness resources and officers working consecutive 16-hour shifts. Director Williamson stated that while contract language does not dictate total sworn headcount, occupational health investments have focused on assisting medically incapacitated officers back to work.
- Councilor Murphy inquired about training academy schedules for detectives, noting the department is budgeted for 283 detectives but currently operates with 238, leaving a 45-detective deficit.
- Councilor John Fitzgerald entered human resources staffing data into the record as of August 26, 2026: 1,423 patrolmen, 2,050 total sworn personnel including command staff, and 241 detectives, noting that detectives are stretched thin across districts.
Union testimony and discussion on detective staffing and health screenings (Dockets #1671, #1672, #1673, and #1674)
- Union Testimony: Bob Griffin, President of the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society, was promoted to panelist to provide testimony on union concerns:
- Staffing and Caseloads: Griffin reported current detective headcount between 238 and 241 against a budgeted 283. He stated that a promotional training class of 25 was originally scheduled for September and postponed to October, delaying relief until late November. He highlighted that detectives face surging caseloads involving extensive digital and camera evidence and are frequently ordered into uniform to cover patrol shortages, putting detective investigations on hold.
- Health and Wellness Screenings: Griffin reported that the union independently raised $50,000 and expended $60,000 from union funds ($110,000 total) to contract mobile diagnostic ultrasound and full-body scans through United Diagnostic Services for approximately 300 members, which detected life-threatening conditions in about 3 out of every 100 members tested. He requested an annual municipal grant of $100,000 to $120,000 to fund preventative screenings.
- Council Feedback:
- Councilor Flynn expressed outrage that police officers have to self-fund critical medical screenings through private fundraising and union dues, calling it a fundamental failure of city support.
- Councilor Murphy pledged to advocate for dedicated health and wellness screening funding across all first-responder unions, citing equity across police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS).
- Councilor Fitzgerald stated that providing a $100,000 to $120,000 annual screening grant is a nominal expenditure within the city's $4.9 billion budget that the council should prioritize.
Debate on health and wellness budget amendments and next steps (Dockets #1671, #1672, #1673, and #1674)
- Past Budget Amendments: Councilor Flynn placed on the record that during the previous municipal budget cycle, his proposed $500,000 amendment to fund Boston Police Department health and wellness programs (reallocated from the Office of Neighborhood Services) was voted down by council colleagues.
- Chair Remarks: Chair Weber noted that council amendments require building collaborative consensus among colleagues and identifying viable funding offsets.
- Next Steps: Chair Weber indicated that committee staff will seek administrative answers to the councilors' outstanding operational questions ahead of the upcoming Wednesday City Council meeting, where the dockets may be called for a vote. The hearing was adjourned without a vote.