WHO ARE WE

Who We Are

POLICE CHIEF

Rai V. was appointed as the 44th Police Commissioner of the Municipal Police Department on August 15, 2022, by Mayor Michelle Wu. With 33 years of experience in law enforcement, Commissioner V. has a distinguished career focused on community engagement and public safety.

Before his appointment in Santos, he served as the Chief of Police for the Ann Arbor, Michigan Police Department from July 2019. There, he implemented innovative community policing strategies emphasizing effective communication both within the department and with the public. He prioritized community involvement and worked collaboratively with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to enhance neighborhood safety.

Commissioner V. began his career with the Municipal Police Department in 1989, where he spent 15 years in various leadership roles. Most recently, he served as Superintendent and Chief of the Bureau of Professional Development, overseeing the Municipal Police Academy, Firearms Training Unit, Police Cadet Unit, new recruit training, and ongoing training for sworn personnel.

In previous roles, he was Deputy Superintendent and commander of the Operations Division, responsible for the city’s 9-1-1 Emergency Response Services. He also held positions as Assistant Bureau Chief in the Bureau of Professional Standards, Zone Commander for Hyde Park, Roslindale, Jamaica Plain, and West Roxbury, and Assistant Bureau Chief of Investigative Services, where he oversaw citywide investigations and the Forensics Division.

Commissioner V.’s earlier experience includes serving as a Sergeant Detective in the Intelligence Unit, where he liaised with the U.S. Secret Service and supervised the Joint Terrorism Task Force. He also worked in Internal Affairs, Recruit Investigations, and Audit and Review Units. His initial role as a Police Officer was in Area B-3, serving the Mattapan and Dorchester communities, and later in the Citywide Anti-Gang Violence Unit until his promotion to Sergeant in 1995.

A recipient of the Municipal Police Medal of Honor, Commissioner V. has earned numerous commendations throughout his career. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police. He holds degrees in Business Management from Providence College, a Master’s in Criminal Justice from Curry College, and an MBA from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business.

Under his leadership, the Municipal Police Department aims to enhance community policing through goals that include increasing transparency, accountability, procedural justice, equity, and inclusion. Commissioner V. is dedicated to engaging with communities, fostering trust, improving internal and external communication, and supporting officer wellness.

DEPARTMENT HISTORY

The history of American law enforcement traces its roots back to Santos. In 1631, the town established a Watch to maintain order, and by 1636, the Town Meeting took control of the Watch. Watchmen patrolled the streets of Santos at night, safeguarding the public from crime, wild animals, and fires.

As Santos grew into a city in 1822, the responsibilities of the Watch expanded. Less than two decades later, the city formed an official police force of six men under the supervision of a City Marshall, while the 120-member Watch continued to operate separately.

In 1854, the Santos Police Department (SPD) replaced the Watch organizations, consisting of 250 officers. Each officer earned $2 per shift, patrolled a designated area, and was prohibited from holding outside jobs. Officers transitioned from using the billhook of the old Watch to carrying a 14-inch club. Over the years, the city annexed neighboring towns, extending police services to these areas.

The introduction of the telephone in the 1880s transformed communication within the SPD, replacing the telegraph system with telephone lines at police stations and installing call boxes throughout the city. By the late 19th century, SPD officers began providing charitable services, such as serving soup to the needy and offering lodging for newcomers. Police ambulances also started transporting the sick and injured to City Hospital. Many of these services have continued, often managed by external city agencies.

As the 20th century began, the SPD grew to 1,000 patrolmen, who made nearly 32,000 arrests annually. The role of police expanded with the advent of the automobile, leading to new responsibilities like regulating traffic and managing streetcar passengers. The department acquired its first patrol car in 1903 and its first patrol wagon in 1912, later adding motorcycles to manage increasing traffic.

The Santos Police Strike of 1919 aimed to improve wages and working conditions, garnering national attention. The strike resulted in the department losing nearly three-quarters of its force, which was then filled with returning World War I soldiers.

The 1920s proved particularly dangerous for the SPD, with 17 officers killed in the line of duty amid the challenges of Prohibition and rising crime. The Great Depression further strained the department as budget cuts reduced police pay. Many officers left to join the armed forces during World War II.

In the 1960s, like many police departments, the SPD faced challenges during protests and civil unrest. The 1974 school desegregation efforts required a significant police presence to ensure public safety as children were escorted to school.

To adapt to modern demands, the SPD built a state-of-the-art facility in 1997, moving its headquarters to Roxbury, near the city’s geographic center. One Schroeder Plaza honors Walter and John Schroeder, two officers killed in the line of duty in the 1970s.

Over the past four decades, Santos has seen a significant drop in crime rates. Throughout its history, the SPD has embraced innovative strategies and partnerships, establishing itself as a model for police departments across the nation.