For those who are unaware of Rule 400, it is a provision governing the application, approval, and standards of what are called Boston Special Police Officers, or SPOs. These positions were created by City Hall and managed by Boston Police as a way of creating supplemental Officers that would focus on specific areas, types of calls, or organizations.

An example of this includes, Park Rangers, Hospital Police, Health Commission Police, and School Police, as well as private Officers who often support Public Officers with patrols in some of Boston’s poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods such as the Orchard Park, Old Colony, Bromley Heath, and other BHA Housing Projects. These Special Officers are overseen by the Boston Police Licensing Unit and are held to a number of standards and restrictions, including only certain Officers being able to carry a firearm or chemical propellant. In short, these additional officers have been tightly managed by the department and serve a crucial role in adding additional personnel to the Public Safety coverage of the City.