BOSTON — Two Boston city councilors are calling for an emergency review of the city’s hiring practices and an audit of city hires since 2023 after several incidents involving workers with criminal records and recent arrests.
The most recent case involves a Boston city worker who was pulled over by a state trooper after leaving work on July 30.
A police report identifies that employee pulled over for driving with tinted windows on Old Colony Avenue as 25-year-old Nasiru Ibrahim.
In video obtained by Boston 25 News, the trooper asks Ibrahim if he has any arrests for firearms offenses.
“Yeah, but nothing recently. Not in like the last five years,” said Ibrahim.
Body camera footage shows how quickly the traffic stop escalates when the trooper reaches to take a look inside a backpack on the floorboard.
“As the Trooper reached to feel it, Ibrahim yanked it and tried to drive away,” said the police report.
The trooper dove headfirst into the vehicle and fought with Ibrahim to put the car in park.
He used his Taser on Ibrahim and alleges Ibrahim then grabbed the Taser and used it on him.
An off-duty Boston Police officer stepped in moments later to help make the arrest.
“A Glock 23 Gen 4 .40 caliber pistol was located in a sweatshirt beneath the seat. It contained a “Glock Switch” qualifying it as a machine gun, as well as a large capacity feeding device,” said the police report.
Ibrahim’s attorney said he believes there are legal issues involving the case.
“We are examining the constitutionality of the traffic stop and are pursing all avenues,” said attorney Peter Marano.
On Monday, Mayor Michelle Wu told reporters the employee was on unpaid leave pending the investigation.
Asked how he was hired with a criminal background in the first place, Mayor Wu said the city has programs that offer second chances.
“We have many programs that the city has created to ensure that individuals can get a second chance,” Wu said. “People who have done their time, put in the work to support themselves and to take care of their own lives and are re-entering our community have a pathway. That also still means we are holding every employee to a very high standard.”
Councilors Flynn and Murphy believe a review of needed, and the emergency hearing order they filed will be addressed at Wednesday’s Boston City Council meeting.
They point to a separate case in which a registered sex offender was found to be working in the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
The employee resigned earlier this month after roughly a year of employment, according to the councilors’ emergency resolution.
“I am frustrated. I’m disappointed. We can’t keep making these mistakes,” Councilor Flynn told Boston 25 News. “Is this a complete breakdown in the systemwide human resources background check?”
Several other employees have faced arrest and charges in recent months. In May, two Boston City Hall staffers were fired days after police responded to a domestic violence call.
Among the changes Councilors Flynn and Murphy want to see:
- Pre-employment screening, including mandatory Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) queries and enhanced criminal background checks for all positions
- Tiered risk-based screening, with stricter standards for jobs involving children, seniors, or vulnerable populations
- Conditional employment offers, pending completion of full criminal, sex-offender, and reference verification
- Continuous monitoring, including annual Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and SORB rechecks for all employees, and immediate alerts for new arrests or registry updates
- Rapid suspension protocols, requiring immediate administrative leave when credible allegations of violent or sexual crimes arise
- Audit of recent hires, with a report to the Council on all hires since July 1, 2023, including the number screened through SORB, exceptions granted, and policy compliance
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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