Boston, August 27, 2025
News Summary
Boston city councilors Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy are calling for an emergency order to review the city’s hiring practices and audit city hires from 2023. This request follows the arrest of city worker Nasiru Ibrahim, who has a significant criminal record and was found with a converted firearm. The councilors emphasize the need for accountability and improved vetting processes as concerns rise over the employment of individuals with criminal backgrounds within city departments.
Boston — Two Boston city councilors have filed an emergency order seeking a review of the city’s hiring practices and an audit of all city hires since 2023 after the arrest of a city employee with a significant criminal record.
Key developments
Councilors Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy requested an immediate examination of background-check procedures and an audit of hires made by the city since 2023 following a series of incidents involving city workers with criminal records. The request was prompted most recently by the July 30 arrest of 25-year-old city worker Nasiru Ibrahim during a traffic stop.
During the stop for tinted windows, law enforcement officers discovered Ibrahim had a prior history of firearm-related arrests. Body camera footage released by authorities shows the encounter escalated when a state trooper inspected a backpack inside Ibrahim’s vehicle, after which Ibrahim attempted to flee, struggled with the trooper and deployed a Taser against the officer. An off-duty Boston Police officer intervened and assisted in subduing and arresting Ibrahim.
After the arrest, officers found a Glock 23 Gen 4 .40 caliber pistol in Ibrahim’s vehicle that had been converted into an automatic weapon using a device commonly known as a “Glock Switch,” along with a large-capacity feeding device. Ibrahim’s criminal history includes a conviction described as assault to murder, which previously resulted in a five-year prison sentence.
City response and personnel action
Mayor Michelle Wu confirmed that Ibrahim has been placed on unpaid administrative leave while the incident is under investigation. City officials noted there are programs intended to provide employment opportunities to individuals with criminal backgrounds, but also stressed that the city maintains standards for city employees.
The councilors highlighted recent personnel controversies, including the employment of a registered sex offender within the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the firing of two City Hall staffers following domestic violence incidents. These cases, together with the Ibrahim arrest, have fueled concerns about whether the city’s human resources system is effectively vetting applicants and monitoring employees.
Calls for systemic change
Councilors Flynn and Murphy are pressing for an emergency public hearing on hiring and vetting processes. The emergency order will be taken up at the next Boston City Council meeting and seeks to require city departments to produce records related to background checks, hiring decisions and any exceptions made for applicants with criminal histories.
Council members emphasized the need for accountability and systemic reforms, including clearer guidelines on when prior convictions disqualify applicants, better interdepartmental record sharing, and improved screening tools to flag potentially disqualifying criminal histories during the hiring process.
Legal and investigative status
Ibrahim’s attorney has indicated that questions remain about the legality of the traffic stop and related investigatory steps, and those issues are expected to be raised in court. Meanwhile, the criminal investigation into the firearm and conversion device found in the vehicle is ongoing.
The city’s human resources office has been asked to cooperate with the council’s audit if the emergency hearing order is approved. The audit would review hires from 2023 to present, focusing on whether policies were followed, how exceptions were granted, and whether additional safeguards are needed to protect public safety while allowing lawful reentry into the workforce.
Immediate next steps
- Boston City Council will address the emergency hearing order at its upcoming meeting.
- The mayor’s office will continue an internal review of the Ibrahim incident and maintain the employee’s unpaid leave status pending its outcome.
- Legal challenges related to the traffic stop and charges are expected through the court process.
Background context
Municipal employers commonly balance public safety concerns with efforts to provide employment opportunities for people with criminal records. Boston, like many cities, has programs designed to facilitate reentry, but recent incidents have raised questions about whether existing background-check processes and policy exceptions are adequately protecting residents and city operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the emergency review request?
The arrest of a city worker on July 30, together with other recent personnel controversies involving employees with criminal records, prompted two city councilors to request an emergency review of hiring practices and an audit of hires since 2023.
Who is the city worker involved and what charges are pending?
The worker is identified as 25-year-old Nasiru Ibrahim. After a traffic stop, officers found a converted firearm and a high-capacity device in his vehicle. Legal proceedings are ongoing and may include charges related to the firearm discovery and resisting law enforcement during the arrest. His attorney is also reviewing the legality of the traffic stop.
What actions has city government taken so far?
The mayor’s office placed the worker on unpaid leave pending investigation and stated there will be cooperation with any council-led audit of hiring practices. The councilors filed an emergency hearing order to review background checks and hiring decisions since 2023.
Will the audit affect all city departments?
The emergency order requests an audit of hires across city departments since 2023. If approved by the City Council, departments would be required to provide records related to hiring and background checks for review.
How can residents follow the City Council hearing?
Residents can monitor City Council meeting agendas and minutes through official city channels for scheduling and access details regarding the emergency hearing when it is posted.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident | Traffic stop on July 30 leading to arrest of city worker and discovery of converted firearm |
| Individual | Nasiru Ibrahim, 25, city employee |
| Apparatus found | Glock 23 Gen 4 .40 caliber pistol converted to automatic with a conversion device and a large-capacity feeding device |
| Personnel action | Placed on unpaid administrative leave pending investigation |
| Council action | Emergency order filed for a hiring practices review and audit of hires since 2023 |
| Next public step | Emergency hearing order to be addressed at the Boston City Council meeting |
| Legal status | Criminal investigation ongoing; defense counsel raising constitutional questions about the traffic stop |
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Additional Resources
- WCVB: Boston’s city councilors call for emergency meeting
- Boston 25 News: Boston hiring practices under microscope
- Boston Herald: Steamed Boston City Councilor decries politics
- Wikipedia: Hiring practices
- Google Search: Boston City Council emergency meeting hiring practices
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
