Boston Reviews City Job Background Check Policies

Boston, September 23, 2025

News Summary

Boston is reassessing which city jobs necessitate criminal background checks after concerns were raised regarding two former city employees with criminal histories. The City Council convened a hearing to examine current screening processes and consider potential improvements to ensure public safety while offering employment opportunities for individuals with past convictions. Recent incidents involving a Level Three sex offender and another employee prompted urgency in updating hiring practices and clarifying which positions require enhanced screening protocols. City officials are set to review job descriptions and align them with state-level directives.

Boston

Boston is reviewing which city jobs require criminal background checks following raised concerns over the criminal histories of two former employees. The City Council held a hearing on Monday to discuss the city’s screening processes for job applicants with criminal convictions. The review was prompted by recent incidents involving city employees that raised questions about whether existing screening rules are sufficient to protect public safety while also allowing employment opportunities for people leaving the criminal justice system.

Key developments

Recent incidents involving city employees included an arrest after a confrontation with a state trooper and another employee who was a Level Three sex offender. Both employees are no longer affiliated with the city. City Councilors signaled urgency in tightening hiring and screening practices after those events and added a proposal to the council agenda last minute to prompt faster consideration.

The city’s chief people officer, Alex Lawrence, stated that background checks are not conducted for every city position. Criminal records are only reviewed for jobs involving unsupervised public interaction or working with vulnerable populations. City officials are reviewing job descriptions to determine the appropriate background checks for various positions and to identify roles that should require enhanced screening.

Positions, policy and process

Councilors emphasized the importance of balancing community safety with job opportunities for individuals exiting the criminal justice system. Lawrence mentioned previous efforts to enhance hiring processes, such as training for hiring managers and workplace incident investigations. At the same time, city leaders acknowledged the practical and legal challenges of excluding job seekers solely on the basis of past convictions.

José Massó, chief of human services, discussed the challenges faced by individuals with criminal histories seeking employment and supports investing in programs for returning citizens to help reduce recidivism. Advocates at the hearing emphasized the importance of individualized assessments rather than broad prohibitions on hiring those with criminal histories.

Calls for stricter measures and cautions

Councilor Ed Flynn expressed concern over the hiring of a Level Three sex offender by the Parks and Recreation Department. The specifics of the Level Three sex offender’s convictions included indecent assault and battery against a child. Flynn advocated for a policy that would bar individuals with specific criminal convictions from roles in Boston Public Schools and related departments.

Lou Mandarini, a senior adviser to the mayor, cautioned against blanket policies, highlighting the need to analyze the nuances of each case before imposing categorical bans. Councilors Erin Murphy and Ed Flynn called for an emergency hearing to discuss stricter measures in light of the recent incidents. The council’s proposal was added to the agenda last minute, reflecting urgency in addressing the issue.

Context and related action

The discussion in Boston comes amid statewide action on background screening in certain contexts. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has ordered full criminal background checks for all residents in the state’s shelter system following lapses in protocol. City officials said they will consider how state-level directives and best practices intersect with municipal hiring rules.

Officials indicated next steps will include a review of which job descriptions require mandatory checks, potential policy updates to clarify screening thresholds, and continued training for hiring managers. The City Council is expected to consider formal proposals and possible ordinance changes in follow-up sessions after the emergency hearing requested by councilors.

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Additional Resources

• Boston Globe: City of Boston Hiring Policies
• Boston 25 News: Hearing Set for Proposal on Stricter Criminal Background Checks for Boston City Workers
• NBC Boston: Massachusetts Migrant Shelter Background Checks
• CBS News: CORI Checks for Massachusetts Shelters
• Wikipedia: Criminal Records in the United States

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