BOSTON – Using emergency lights to get an elected official through traffic has been an acceptable practice for Boston police for decades, according to former BPD Chief Superintendent Dan Linskey.
However, the practice is outside of BPD policy and procedure, Linskey said. Rule 302 in the Boston Police Rules and Procedures it deals with emergency driving, but there is no section that states when a public official or other dignitary is in the vehicle.
“It’s not in our policies and procedures. It’s outside of that, but it’s an acceptable practice and procedure when done appropriately,” Linskey said. “However, there are consequences when it’s unsafe and that’s the balancing act.”
The issue is front and center behind Mayor Michelle Wu and her driver, the Boston Police Department. Keyanna Smith was caught on video using blue police lights to enter a busy intersection while the light was red. The maneuver caused a collision between a mother and her son. The police report states that Smith activated his lights and siren, though the video contradicts that detail.
According to BPD policy, an officer during an emergency and while performing a public duty, “may drive such a vehicle through an intersection contrary to any traffic signal or signal regulating traffic at such intersection if he first carries that vehicle at its level. stop and then proceed with caution and with due regard for the safety of persons and property.”
Linskey said Mayor Wu’s driver on Tuesday did not appear to enter the intersection safely.
“The police vehicle did not proceed cautiously through that intersection as it should have,” Linskey said. “This is not the way the vehicle should have been operated. This is a training issue, an internal discipline issue.”
But Linskey said the officer is not entirely to blame. Officers can often feel pressure from powerful people to get where they need to quickly, and Linskey said he has personal experience. He admits he used his lights to run red lights “a hundred times” while driving for then-Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.
“I’ve been the officer in the front seat driving the mayor or other officials and I’ve used my emergency lights to go to an event,” Linskey said. “You can’t put everything on the police officer.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News at Facebook i Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
©2023 Cox Media Group
