Boston, MA - As of today, the city of Boston celebrates William Gross, the city’s first African-American police commissioner, with a welcoming ceremony.

Just a few hours ago, Boston Police Commissioner William Gross moved ‘up the ladder’ in the police department. Gross initially joined the police force back in 1985, where he started as a patrol officer. As time went on, Gross worked his way up in the force. In 2014, he was labeled second-in-command.

Gross has long been one of the faces of the Boston Police Department. He’s been well-known throughout the community ever since he joined the force in 1985. Mayor Marty Walsh came forward to confirm these statements. Mayor Walsh also stated to the citizens of Boston that Gross is a great representation of what the community needs. Gross reflects his abilities and his values each and every day for the public to see. This is why Gross is the perfect person to be Boston’s 42nd police commissioner, states Mayor Walsh.

Today, at noon, William Gross raised his right hand and spoke the oath of his new office on the stage of the Morning Star Baptist Church in Mattapan. His mother has been a member of this church for 35 years now, and he saw it fit to have the ceremony take place there. After the oath was spoken, his mother hung the badge awarded to him around his neck for all to see.

After the oath and the awarding of the badge, Gross told the audience that he plans to continue the department’s model of community policing. He then went on to explain what community policing is by stating, “Here’s what that means: To work collaboratively…” Working collaboratively means for the police department, the community, the private sector, the surrounding businesses, the institutions of higher learning, the clergy, and all the citizens work together for the safety of the areas.

Gross has taken the place of William Evans, the 41st Boston Police Commissioner. Gross made this decision after learning that Evans would be retiring after working 40 years in the department. Evans will now be working as a police chief at Boston College.