City of Worcester, MA

WORCESTER, Mass. – The City of Worcester on Friday released the first batch of Worcester Police Officer body-worn camera footage files and audio from the emergency communication dispatch calls from the Eureka Street incident on May 8, 2025. In addition, City Manager Eric D. Batista has issued an Executive Order reaffirming how the Worcester Police Department interacts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and implementing a new policy for how the entire municipality is expected to engage with the federal agency. Additionally, the Worcester Police Department (WPD) is requesting that the Court dismiss the case against the juvenile that was arrested during the incident.

Three videos of WPD body-worn camera footage have been uploaded to the municipality’s YouTube channel along with a video that includes all audio files from the emergency communications dispatch calls received regarding the incident. These three videos are the first in what will be the release of all body-worn camera footage that is subject to disclosure, which is footage that does not disclose private personal information. 

The Law Department has been actively working on reviewing and redacting videos, which include more than 550 minutes of footage, since May 8 and will release footage on a rolling basis as quickly as possible. Any redactions in the videos, which are identified in the uploads, are to protect the privacy of minors and/or personal information.

On Friday, May 16, City Manager Eric D. Batista issued an Executive Order concerning the municipality’s response and interaction with federal immigration agencies. This Executive Order establishes guidelines for local response and involvement in federal enforcement of immigration laws and operations including investigations and civil detainments performed by ICE officers. Enforcement of immigration laws is within the jurisdiction of the federal government, not the municipality and as such, municipal resources shall not be used toward that end. The municipality and the WPD are committed to promoting safety in the community regardless of immigration status.

The newly established policy, under the Executive Order, states that municipal employees and officers shall not inquire about immigration status nor shall immigration status impact the treatment of a resident, victim, suspect, arrestee, 911 caller, or another member of the public with whom a municipal employee has contact. 

In accordance with Massachusetts law, WPD shall not initiate investigations or take law enforcement action solely on the basis of immigration status, including without limitation, the initiation of a stop, an apprehension, or arrest. No person will be arrested or held by the WPD solely on the basis of a federal civil immigration detainer, including extending the length of detention by any amount of time once an individual is released from local custody, or before being transferred to court or admitted to bail.

Municipal employees shall not participate in an operation led by a federal agency solely for the enforcement of federal civil immigration laws, except in response to a request to assist with support services deemed necessary to ensure officer safety; to ensure public safety; to prevent a breach of the peace during a federal operation including requests to establish traffic perimeters, control traffic, or provide police escort; or for the assistance in the apprehension of any individual who is also wanted on a Criminal Arrest Warrant. 

No WPD officer shall perform the functions of an immigration officer, whether pursuant to 8 U.S.C. section 1357(g) or any other law, regulation, or policy, whether formal or informal.

Municipal employees shall not provide access to records, information, or non-public areas of municipal buildings, solely for the enforcement of federal civil immigration laws unless required by a valid judicial warrant, court order, or other applicable law.

“I recognize the significant impact this incident has had on our community,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “It has created division and caused trauma to the individuals directly involved and to the greater community at large. It is my hope that releasing all of the body-worn camera footage and establishing a clear policy on how municipal employees are to engage with ICE agents is the first step in repairing any unintentional harm and can help determine how, as a community and a municipality, we respond in these situations. I want to be undeniably clear that our Police Department will never target individuals based on their immigration status. The body-worn camera footage from the first responding officer will show that the target of ICE’s operation was already detained by federal agents prior to WPD’s arrival and that WPD did not assist ICE with the civil arrest. The footage of a family being torn apart is disturbing to watch but the municipality cannot interfere in or prevent a federal detainment. As a community, we must come together in support of one another and not allow external forces to divide us. Worcester has always and will always be a welcoming and inclusive city.”

“To ensure transparency and provide a clearer perspective of the incident, we are releasing the dispatch calls and body-worn camera footage,” said Police Chief Paul Saucier. “By doing so, we aim to illustrate the chaotic nature of the situation as experienced by the officers who had to make rapid, critical decisions in the moment to ensure the safety of everyone on the scene. Given the totality of circumstances, the Worcester Police Department is requesting that the Court dismiss the case against the juvenile that was arrested during the incident, but it is important to emphasize that assaulting or interfering with law enforcement officers as they carry out their duties is never acceptable. The Worcester Police Department remains committed to fulfilling our responsibilities of protecting all residents of the City of Worcester.”

Link to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3TD3ySXewEyUaI9HUxzMYZh7eedKdRSo

Link to Executive Order: https://opendata.worcesterma.gov/documents/e1a0a11540cd4fd0951e7e4e22369198/about

Link to Policy: https://opendata.worcesterma.gov/documents/cbcb4ce2f596486e8c544c0b39fbb20d/about