Boston Evaluates Which City Jobs Should Require Criminal Background Checks

Boston City Hall is currently reviewing its hiring policies related to criminal background checks, particularly for roles that involve public interaction and working with vulnerable populations. This review comes following recent incidents involving employees with criminal records.

On Monday, Sept. 22, the Boston City Council held a hearing to discuss balancing employment opportunities for returning citizens with public safety concerns as they considered expanding background checks for city jobs.

Recent incident have included a Level Three sex offender working in Parks and Recreation and a city employee who was arrested after a confrontation with a state trooper. Both cases raised questions about the effectiveness of current screening processes.

The city no longer employs both individuals, a spokesperson for the mayor's office confirmed to the Boston Globe on Monday.

During Monday's hearing, José Massó, Boston's chief of human services, discussed the challenges faced by individuals with criminal convictions when attempting to re-enter the workforce after completing their time in the criminal justice system. He explained that employment decisions should consider factors such as the age at conviction, the seriousness of the offense, the time elapsed, and the relevance to the job, rather than applying broad restrictions.

“As someone who believes deeply in second chances and in the need to invest in returning citizens so we can break the cycle of recidivism, I am proud of the work the [office of returning citizens] team does every day,” Massó said in a statement shared with the Boston Globe. 

City Councilor Ed Flynn, however, called for a blanket ban on known sex offenders working in specific city roles, such as jobs with the Boston Public Schools, the city's Youth and Families Department, or Parks and Recreation.

“Why take that chance, knowing that they're going to be interacting somehow or [in] close proximity, to students, to youth, to playgrounds where children gather?” Flynn argued in his comments recorded by the Globe.

Lou Mandarini, a senior adviser to Mayor Michelle Wu on labor issues, warned that nuanced approaches are necessary due to the complexity of criminal backgrounds.

“What was the age of the person at the time of the conviction? How serious was it? How much time has elapsed since the conviction? Is there any relevance to the position sought? . . . Does the person have pending charges?” Mandarini said, citing examples of contexts that the city should consider.