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South Boston High School

Description: No audio at the beginning. The first day of school at South Boston High School during Phase II desegregation of Boston schools. Helmeted members of the Tactical Patrol Force and US Marshals are present in the school yard and on the street. Exteriors of the South Boston High School building. Headmaster William Reid (Headmaster, South Boston High School), Charles Barry (Deputy Superintendent, Boston Police Department), Peter Meade (Mayor's Office) and others confer on the street outside of the school. White students approach on foot. Buses carrying African American students arrive with a police motorcycle escort. Two groups of press photographers are cordoned off behind ropes in front of the school. African American students exit buses. A police helicopter circles the area.
0:00:37: Visual: Two police officers stand on a street corner in South Boston. 0:01:17: V: Helmeted police officers from the Tactical Patrol Force line up in front of South Boston High School. Police radios are audible. Shots of South Boston High School. Media and onlookers are gathered on sidewalk. US Marshals and small groups of officials are in the schoolyard and on G Street in front of the high school. Police question a student as he enters schoolyard. 0:04:04: V: A group of police officers walk into the street and continue down the hill on East 6th Street. Three African American students exit a police car and walk into the schoolyard. William Reid (Headmaster, South Boston High School), Peter Meade (Mayor's Office), Charles Barry (Deputy Superintendent, Boston Police Department), and others converse in the street in front of the school. Two white students enter the schoolyard. Police are stationed at entrance of school; students enter. 0:06:06: V: Police line the streets. A group of three white students enters the schoolyard. 0:06:46: Helicopter noise is audible. V: Schoolbuses with police motorcycle escort are visible down East 6th Street, making their way toward the school. A station wagon arrives; three women and a police officer help a student out of the wagon. Four school buses with a police escort pull up in front of the school. Shots of the news media cordoned off behind a rope on either side of the entrance to the schoolyard. Several African American students enter schoolyard. A group of students exit a bus prematurely. The students are told to get back on the bus by an official. Shots of buses lined up; of helicopters overhead. Officials converse on street. African American students exit buses and enter schoolyard. Shot through a crowd of the front entrance of the school.
Collection: Evening Compass, The
Date Created: 09/08/1975

Tactical Patrol Force

Description: Sounds cuts out in beginning. B-roll of police. Gary Griffith interviews Joseph Rowan (Deputy Superintendent, Boston Police Department) about the mission of the Tactical Patrol Force (TPF). Rowan responds to charges of police brutality by TPF in South Boston. Rowan says that the TPF responds to violence directed at them by residents; that complaints of brutality are fully investigated by the department. Griffith interviews three TPF officers: Kathy Fitzpatrick, William Johnston, and Val Williams. They answer questions about the TPF and deny charges of police brutality. Johnston says that the TPF is trying to keep the peace. Williams says that the TPF is called in to deal with difficult situations and that rumors of TPF behavior have been exaggerated. Fitzpatrick says that she performs the same duties as the male officers. Fitzpatrick says that city residents are venting their frustration on the TPF. The image cuts out for a section of the interview, and later cutaway footage shot, with reporter directing camera operator.
1:17:46: Visual: Joseph Rowan (Deputy Superintendent, Boston Police Department) confers with Robert DiGrazia (Police Commissioner, City of Boston) and another man on Austin Street. Main Street in Charlestown is visible behind them. Police radio is audible. They are joined by a third man. 1:19:08: V: Police officers are gathered across the street from Rowan. They confer in small groups. Traveling shot follows one officer as he heads toward his cruiser. 1:19:57: V: Griffith sets up interview with Rowan. Griffith asks Rowan about the TPF (Tactical Patrol Force). Rowan says that the TPF deals with crowd control and riots; that the TPF includes an anti-crime unit, an emergency services unit, a mounted police unit and a canine unit. Griffith asks Rowan to respond to charges of police brutality by the TPF in South Boston. Rowan says that the TPF reacts to violence directed at them by residents; that there may be isolated cases of brutality; that residents are encouraged to file complaints. Griffith asks if a pattern of police brutality is beginning to emerge. Rowan says that the TPF has been successful in stopping unlawful behavior; that lawbreakers make accusations but charges have never been filed; that certain situations are under investigation. V: The shot becomes dark, then is adjusted. Griffith comments that all of the busing-related arrests have been made by the TPF. Rowan says that some district officers have made arrests; that a specific recent arrest did not involve TPF officers shooting at suspects from rooftops. Griffith asks why district police officers cannot perform TPF duties. Rowan says that the TPF are carefully selected; that they are trained to work as a group; that TPF are stable, hard-working officers. 1:25:44: V: Rowan calls some TPF officers over to be interviewed. Rowan comments that the TPF are good officers. Griffith asks the TPF officers why they joined the TPF. William Johnston (Boston Police Patrolman) says that the TPF is involved with the community; that he appreciates the variety of work done by the TPF; that the TPF does not relish dealing with the busing crisis; that his colleagues in the TPF are great to work with. Griffith asks him to respond to complaints from residents of Charlestown and South Boston. Johnston says that the TPF is only trying to keep the peace; that some are using the busing crisis as an excuse to pursue criminal behavior. Griffith asks about pay and work hours for the TPF. Val Williams (Boston Police Patrolman) says that he enjoys working long hours for the TPF; that the pay is somewhat better in the TPF. Griffith asks Kathy Fitzpatrick (Boston Police Patrolman) why a woman would want to join the TPF. She says that she began as a female decoy for the TPF; that she has as much responsibility as the male officers. Griffith tells them that the TPF has been described as "drug-crazed animals". Johnston responds that he is only performing his job; that he has not seen one incident of brutality. Williams says that the reporter should look carefully at the source of the complaints; that TPF officers do not do drugs; that the TPF has done an exemplary job. Griffith asks about special training for the TPF. Johnston responds that they are trained in riot control techniques; that TPF supervisors are excellent; that TPF officers are not "mean." Williams says that the TPF has to deal with difficult situations; that rumors of TPF behavior have been exaggerated. Griffith asks Fitzpatrick if she is involved in crowd control. She responds that she performs the same job as the men; that residents of South Boston and Charlestown are venting their frustration on the TPF. Griffith closes the interview. 1:32:08: V: Johnston says that TPF officers must protect themselves; that anti-busers target the TPF; that the TPF only enforces the law. Griffith asks if the TPF were involved in the "sick-in." Johnston declines to comment. Williams says he was on vacation during the "sick-in." Johnston comments on the ability of the TPF to work as a team. Fitzpatrick says that there are two women on the TPF and about 180 men. 1:33:51: V: Shots of police officers standing on sidewalk beside a cruiser. Civilians pass by. Camera pans to police cruiser. Rowan stands beside cruiser. Shots of officers standing across the street. Shots of neighborhood and Bunker Hill Monument in distance.
Collection: Evening Compass, The
Date Created: 09/11/1975

Tactical Patrol Force

Description: Interview with two members of Boston Police Tactical Patrol Force (TPF), explaining their tactics in making arrests, use of force, countering resistance.
Collection: Evening Compass, The
Date Created: 09/11/1975