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City Manager Agenda Item · Attachment A - Quarter 2
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Police Review & Advisory Board Quarterly Report for the second quarter of 2026.
Attachment A
689 Massachusets Ave,
(617) 349 - 6155
Cambridge, MA 02139
www.cambridgema.gov/PRAB
Minutes from the Meeting of February 26, 2026
Board Members Present: Chair Gina LaRoche, Alexandra Fallon, Caleb Demers, Belicia Wilkinson
City Staff present: Executive Secretary Carolina Almonte
Cambridge Police Department (CPD) Staff Present: Director of Professional Standards &
Training James Mulcahy, Sergeant Robert Ciriello, Sergeant David Barkhouse, Sergeant Mike
LeVecque, Project/Compliance Manager Kia Benjamin, and Case Manager Amanda Nett.
Chair LaRoche called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Public Comment
Shawn Boehmer was present as a member of the public. No comment made.
Review and Approval of Minutes
On a motion from Board Member Demers, seconded by Chair LaRoche, the minutes from January
28, 2026, were approved unanimously.
Report from Executive Director
ED Almonte shared that she has completed a draft of the Quarterly Report, which will be shared
at the March meeting. It will cover the work of the Board from October 2025 – March 2026. In
partnership with PSU, she also finalized and organized the case docket for presentation to the
Council. ED Almonte also announced that we will soon be hiring a Program Manager and asked
members to help share the posting once it goes live. Lastly, ED Almonte reminded members that
next month, the Commissioner will attend the meeting to present the Cambridge Police
Department budget.
Report from CPD Professional Standards, Training and Certification Unit Director Mulcahy
Director Mulcahy introduced Project/Compliance Manager Kia Benjamin, who is in charge of the
department’s accreditation efforts, and Case Manager Amanda Nett to the Board. Director
Mulcahy also provided an update on the police academy.
Report from Board Chair
Chair LaRoche shared that the May meeting has been rescheduled to May 12, 2026. A meeting
hold will be shared.
Consideration of Complaints before the Board
689 Massachusets Ave,
(617) 349 - 6155
Cambridge, MA 02139
www.cambridgema.gov/PRAB
Board Member Arlotto moved that the Board enter executive session pursuant to Section 21(a)(1)
of the Mass. Open Meeting Law to discuss complaints PR-2025-010 and PR-2025-013 pending
before the Board. The motion was seconded by Board Member Fallon and approved by a
unanimous roll call vote. The Board entered executive session at 6:50 p.m.
Adjournment
At the end of the executive session, the Board voted unanimously by roll call vote to adjourn the
meeting at 8:31 p.m., on a motion from Board Member Fallon, seconded by Chair LaRoche.
Documents Used During the Meeting
•
Police Review & Advisory Board Meeting Minutes of January 28, 2026
689 Massachusets Ave,
(617) 349 - 6155
Cambridge, MA 02139
www.cambridgema.gov/PRAB
Minutes from the Meeting of March 25, 2026
Board Members Present: Chair Gina LaRoche, Alexandra Fallon, Caleb Demers, Belicia Wilkinson,
Maria Arlotto
City Staff present: Executive Secretary Carolina Almonte, Budget Analyst Daniel Liss
Cambridge Police Department (CPD) Staff Present: Director of Professional Standards &
Training James Mulcahy, Sergeant Robert Ciriello, Sergeant David Barkhouse, Commissioner
Christine Elow, and Director of Planning, Budget and Personnel Angela Alfred
Chair LaRoche called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Public Comment
No members of the public spoke.
Review and Approval of Minutes
On a motion from Board Member Demers, seconded by Chair LaRoche, the minutes from
February 25, 2026, were approved unanimously.
CPD Budget Presentation
CPD staff presented the proposed FY27 Police budget, which totals approximately $57.4 million,
representing a 2.7 percent increase from the FY26 budget. The presentation highlighted that the
majority of the budget, approximately 91 percent, is allocated to salaries and wages, with overall
growth largely driven by contractual and non-union salary increases. Patrol Operations remains
the largest division, accounting for roughly half of the Department’s budget.
The presentation also outlined key investments in public safety technology, data transparency,
and ongoing programs such as the Body Worn Camera program and community-based
initiatives. CPD noted cost-saving measures, including reductions in overtime and adjustments to
the cadet program, as well as the Department’s continued focus on community-oriented policing,
diversion programs, and embedded clinical support services.
Report from Executive Director
Executive Director Almonte provided a draft of the Board’s Quarterly Report, which covered
Board activity from October 2025 through March 2026. The report is intended to establish a
baseline for complaint activity and training under the current administrative structure and will be
shared with the City Council next week. Executive Director Almonte also noted that she hopes to
make updates to the PRAB website, including the addition of a plain language overview of the
689 Massachusets Ave,
(617) 349 - 6155
Cambridge, MA 02139
www.cambridgema.gov/PRAB
Cambridge police complaint process to improve public understanding of the roles of the
Professional Standards Unit and the Board.
Report from CPD Professional Standards, Training and Certification Unit Director Mulcahy
Director Mulcahy did not provide any updates at this meeting.
Report from Board Chair
Chair LaRoche announced that May will be her last meeting with the Board and reminded Board
Members of the rescheduled May Board meeting, which will be on May 12, 2026.
Adjournment
The Board voted unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m., on a motion from Board
Member Fallon, seconded by Chair LaRoche.
Documents Used During the Meeting
•
Police Review & Advisory Board Meeting Minutes of February 25, 2026
689 Massachusets Ave,
(617) 349 - 6155
Cambridge, MA 02139
www.cambridgema.gov/PRAB
Minutes from the Meeting of May 12, 2026
Board Members Present: Chair Gina LaRoche, Caleb Demers, Belicia Wilkinson
City Staff present: Executive Secretary Carolina Almonte
Cambridge Police Department (CPD) Staff Present: Director of Professional Standards &
Training James Mulcahy, Sergeant Robert Ciriello, Sergeant David Barkhouse, Sergeant Mike
LeVecque, and Case Manager Amanda Nett.
Chair LaRoche called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.
Public Comment
•
No members of the public were present.
Review and Approval of Minutes
•
On a motion from Board Member Demers, seconded by Board Member Wilkinson, the
minutes from March 25, 2026, were approved unanimously.
Presentation by CPD Community Engagement Team
•
The Board welcomed Kessen Green and Michele Scott from the Cambridge Police
Department for a conversation about community engagement, strategic partnerships,
youth work, and relationship building between CPD and the Cambridge community.
•
Michele Scott opened the conversation by sharing that she serves as the Community
Engagement Strategic Partnership Director. She has been with CPD for two years and has
worked for the City of Cambridge for 25 years. She explained that much of her work
involves interfacing directly with the community and attending community events. She
also shared that she helps provide community education on body worn cameras, supports
connections between faith communities and CPD, engages with school resource officers,
and works closely with young adults.
•
Kessen Green, who is the Director of Outreach and Community Programs for CPD, then
introduced himself and shared that he has been in his role for the past nine years. He
explained that he began his career working with young people as a youth and teen worker
at the Boys and Girls Club, where he trained and mentored youth. He shared that when he
first stepped into his current role, he experienced judgment from parts of the community
and had to learn how to build trust both with community members and with officers.
•
Director Green explained that he began his work through community walks and has
remained passionate about working with young people, addressing violence, and
strengthening relationships. He shared that a major focus of his work has been breaking
689 Massachusets Ave,
(617) 349 - 6155
Cambridge, MA 02139
www.cambridgema.gov/PRAB
down walls and barriers, building trust, and creating meaningful connections. He also
emphasized the importance of mentorship and spoke about his commitment to working
directly with the community.
•
Board Member Demers asked about the major challenges facing the community
engagement work this year. Director Green shared that budget, funding, and access to
programs continue to be challenges, particularly as there have been budget cuts across
the City.
•
Chair LaRoche asked whether PRAB is discussed during community engagement efforts.
Director Green shared that PRAB is sometimes provided as an option when community
members raise concerns or complaints. He explained that when someone has a complaint,
they may be informed that PRAB is one mechanism available to help address or resolve
their complaint.
•
When asked what advice they would offer to the Board, Director Green emphasized the
importance of footwork and being present in the community. He encouraged the Board to
decide where it wants to be visible, get out into the community, be “boots on the ground,”
engage face to face, and look for meaningful ways to connect with residents.
Report from Executive Director
•
ED Almonte shared appreciation for Gina’s five years of service on the Board and thanked
her for her leadership over the last several months as Board Chair.
•
ED Almonte also provided an update on PRAB reporting. She shared that she is currently
working on the next quarterly report, which is expected to be ready by June. She also
noted that the previous quarterly report has been referred to the Public Safety Committee
and is expected to be discussed in the fall.
•
ED Almonte shared that she recently met with Boston’s Office of Police Accountability and
Transparency. She noted that she will provide the Board with meeting notes from that
conversation, which focused on collaboration, partnership, and community engagement
efforts.
•
ED Almonte also shared that a new program manager will be joining us in June! She also
reminded Board members that PRAB will take its regular summer break in July and August
and will resume meetings in September.
Report from CPD Professional Standards, Training and Certification Unit Director Mulcahy
•
Director Mulcahy provided a brief update from CPD. He shared that there has been a
recent change in leadership and that Pauline Carter-Wells is now serving as Interim
Commissioner. The Board discussed the possibility of inviting Interim Commissioner
Carter-Wells to attend a future PRAB meeting.
689 Massachusets Ave,
(617) 349 - 6155
Cambridge, MA 02139
www.cambridgema.gov/PRAB
•
Director Mulcahy also provided a brief update regarding the recent shooting on Memorial
Drive.
•
Finally, Director Mulcahy shared an update on the Police Academy. He noted that the
Academy is progressing well and that recruits are finishing firearms training and applied
procedures training this week. He explained that applied procedures training allows
recruits to move from classroom learning into practical application. Director Mulcahy also
shared that the Academy graduation is scheduled for next month.
Report from Board Chair
•
Chair LaRoche reminded Board members about Sergeant Barkhouses’ request regarding
the body worn camera policy. He is seeking their input and encouraged members to
respond.
•
Chair LaRoche also invited Board Member Demers to share about the recent civic
engagement event, which was held to recognize and celebrate individuals who serve on
City boards and commissions. Board Member Demers shared that the event included
thoughtful remarks and that he had the opportunity to meet Interim Commissioner Wells.
•
Gina thanked the Board, staff, and CPD representatives for their support and partnership.
She shared that she has enjoyed serving on the Board and reflected on the importance of
racial diversity when filling her upcoming vacancy. She also thanked the Professional
Standards Unit and shared that it had been a pleasure working with them.
•
Members of the Professional Standards Unit thanked Gina for her five years of service and
shared their appreciation for her leadership, insight, and contributions to the Board’s
work. They noted that they have learned a great deal from her during her time on the
Board.
Consideration of Complaint before the Board
•
Board Member Wilkinson moved that the Board enter executive session pursuant to
Section 21(a)(1) of the Mass. Open Meeting Law to discuss complaint PR-2025-011 pending
before the Board. The motion was seconded by Board Member Demers and approved by a
unanimous roll call vote. The Board entered executive session at 7:05 p.m.
Adjournment
•
The Board voted unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 p.m., on a motion
from Board Member Wilkinson, seconded by Chair LaRoche.
Documents Used During the Meeting
•
Police Review & Advisory Board Meeting Minutes of March 25, 2026