Boston City Council Presses Police on $50.6 Million Overtime Budget at FY25 Hearing

BOSTON -- May 13, 2024, Boston City Council scrutinizes BPD's proposed $454.9 million FY25 budget in a daylong hearing. Committee Chair Brian Worrell led questioning of Police Commissioner Cox and department leadership on overtime, staffing, promotions, the detail system, central booking, and officer mental health. Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune established that the true year-over-year increase is approximately $10.78 million, about 2 percent, after correcting a comparison to unspent FY24 funds against the full FY24 appropriation of $444.1 million. The proposed overtime budget of $50.6 million is up from $49.6 million appropriated last year, and the department projects roughly 1.4 million overtime hours by FY24 year-end. Louijeune cited sergeant-exam data showing only 35 Black men and 16 Hispanic men were promoted over the last three exam cycles, compared with 288 white men, calling it a failure to "meet the moment" on diversity. Youth advocates from the Youth Justice and Power Union demanded the council reject the budget increase and cap overtime, while one public commenter urged greater support for the department.