Dennis White (police commissioner) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dennis White
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|---|---|
| 43rd Commissioner of the Boston Police Department | |
| In office February 1, 2021 – June 7, 2021 Suspended: February 3, 2021 – June 7, 2021 |
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| Mayor | Marty Walsh Kim Janey (acting) |
| Preceded by | William G. Gross |
| Succeeded by | Michael Cox Gregory Long (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1961/1962 (age 62–63) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Residence | Randolph, Massachusetts |
| Alma mater | Newbury College |
Dennis A. White (born c. 1962) is an American police officer who was briefly Commissioner of the Boston Police Department in 2021. After being sworn in on February 1, 2021, White was placed on leave two days later, as the city conducted an investigation into a 1999 allegation of domestic violence against his wife and teenage daughter. On June 7, 2021, Acting Mayor Kim Janey fired White after legal challenges.
Early life and education
White is a native of the Four Corners area of the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, and graduated from Jeremiah E. Burke High School in the Dorchester neighborhood. He spent five years as a member of the Boston Fire Department. In 2005, he earned a bachelor's degree in legal studies from Newbury College in nearby Brookline, Massachusetts.
Police career
As of January 2021[update], White had been a member of the Boston Police Department for 32 years. He rose through leadership roles, becoming a deputy superintendent in 2014. In August 2018, Boston police commissioner William G. Gross promoted White to superintendent and named him chief of staff. In 2020, White was one of two police officers on an 11-member task force assembled to review and recommend improvements to policing in Boston, following the murder of George Floyd.
Appointment as Police Commissioner
On January 28, 2021, Gross abruptly announced his retirement, effective the next day. On Gross’ recommendation, Boston mayor Marty Walsh named White his successor as commissioner, with White becoming acting commissioner on January 29. Formally sworn in on February 1, White became the department's 43rd commissioner and second Black commissioner.
Defamation suit
In 2021, White filed suit against the City of Boston and former mayor Janey on multiple grounds, including defamation, violation of his right to privacy, and lack of due process. Multiple claims were dismissed in 2022, and the remaining claims were dismissed by Leo T. Sorokin of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts on August 19, 2024. White's lawyer stated that the dismissal would be appealed.
