Associated Press
Boston’s new police commissioner, Kathleen M. O’Toole, today announced a series of changes in the department’s command structure which included the promotion of one officer who had been a candidate for her position.
O’Toole promoted Capt. James M. Claiborne to superintendent in charge of the bureau of field services. He was previously district commander in East Boston.
Claiborne had been a candidate for commissioner, but Mayor Thomas Menino instead appointed O’Toole for the job on Feb. 8, making her the first woman to head the department. Claiborne would have been the first black Boston police commissioner.
As part of the department changes, Capt. James M. Hussey left his position as superintendent-in-chief to command the Boston Police Academy.
Hussey had served as the department’s acting commissioner after former commissioner Paul Evans left to take a law enforcement position in England. Hussey was also a finalist for O’Toole’s job.
Hussey was criticized publicly after the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl victory for not being prepared for street rioting in the city. Menino has said, however, that the decision to give the job to O’Toole over Hussey was not related to the Super Bowl violence.
O’Toole assumed command of the department last week and at her swearing-in ceremony she said she would mak changes in the command staff by the end of this week.
The changes, which take effect tomorrow, were posted today on the department’s web site. Here are the rest of the moves: