Boston City Council passes home rule petition to raise police academy age limit

BOSTON -- September 11, 2024, Boston City Council passes police academy age waiver and flags worst BPS bus performance since 2016. The council voted 11-0 on September 11 to advance a home rule petition raising the maximum entrance age for the Boston Police Academy, championed by Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata as a response to what the Boston Police Patrolman's Union described as a shortage of at least 400 to 500 officers citywide. The council also passed a separate individual age waiver for East Boston resident Chris Gliropoulos by a 12-0 vote. Councilor Edward M. Flynn introduced a hearing order on BPS transportation after only 34 percent of school buses arrived on time on the first day of school, the lowest rate since 2016, out of a system serving 22,000 students and funded at approximately $130 million annually. Councilor Erin J. Murphy put the human number plainly: roughly 14,500 students did not arrive at school on time in the first week. The council unanimously adopted resolutions recognizing September as both Hunger Action Month and Suicide Awareness Month, with Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and Councilor Julia M. Mejia speaking publicly about personal experiences with suicide loss and mental health.