Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis Is Resigning

Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis is expected to resign on Monday. Davis was thrust into the national spotlight in April by the Boston Marathon bombings.

Boston police spokeswoman Neva Coakley explained that Davis will hold a news conference at police headquarters at 10 am EDT on Monday.

The Boston Globe notes that it isn’t known when Ed Davis’ resignation will take effect. However, one law enforcement source told Reuters that Davis will stay in his job until the end of the year, when Boston Mayor Thomas Menino leaves office.

During the conference, the Boston police chief is expected to announce his plans for the future. While Davis will step down from his current position, close friends say they don’t expect the police chief to retire.

Former Boston Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, who has known Ed Davis for 20 years, commented, “He’s rumored to be under consideration for [secretary of] Homeland Security, and I know for a fact he’s been sought after by the private sector and other [foreign] governments.”

Davis’ decision to step down comes after some controversy. The Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers passed a vote of no confidence in Davis earlier this year and called for the police chief’s resignation.

Larry Ellison, president of MAMLEO, commented about the resignation report, “I think it’s the right thing for him to do in terms of the city being able to move forward.”

Several mayoral candidates praised Davis’ time with the BPD, saying he leaves “big shoes to fill.” They added that his departure will allow the city’s next mayor to consider hiring a woman or a minority for the important position.

Before he served as commissioner for the BPD, Ed Davis spent 12 years working as the superintendent of the Lowell, Massachusetts, police department. He is also well-known in international circles.