New Bedford, Mass. A newly released 71-page independent review of the New Bedford Police Department has spotlighted critical weaknesses in the agencys operations, particularly around evidence handling, confidential informant oversight, and internal accountability systems. Conducted by 21st Century Policing Solutions, the report does not just critique the departments practices but also offers a roadmap for reform that city leaders have already pledged to implement. One of the most pressing findings centers on evidence control. The consultants discovered that the department still stores large amounts of seized narcotics dating back decades, raising concerns over safety, theft risk, and the integrity of pending or resolved cases. The review urged accelerated disposal of obsolete substances and recommended enhanced infrastructure, pointing to the departments recent construction of a new evidence room as a step in the right direction. According to the report, long-term backlog undermines both operational safety and public confidence. The review also identified troubling gaps in communication protocols, particularly the Organized Crime Intelligence Bureaus (OCIB) use of a secondary encrypted radio channel. This channel, not monitored or recorded by the main communications center, left patrol officers unaware of key events. The report describes a particularly high-risk incident where detectives attempted to stop an armed suspect but operated largely on the unmonitored channel, resulting in a force encounter, vehicle collision, and the suspects escape. The consultants warned that such practices jeopardize officer safety and operational coordination. The handling of confidential informants (CIs) was another focal point. Auditors flagged the unusually high number of active CIs and noted that existing oversight mechanisms were insufficient to prevent potential abuses or conflicts of interest. The report recommended stricter policies governing recruitment, management, and review of informants to limit improper relationships and protect against constitutional violations. In particular, the consultants urged clearer documentation and supervisory accountability for all CI interactions. On internal discipline, the report painted a picture of inconsistent standards. In several cases, repeated misconduct was met with limited corrective action, leading to patterns of behavior that went unchecked. Consultants recommended a clearer progressive discipline system, stronger internal timelines for investigations, and mechanisms to ensure accountability for both rank-and-file officers and supervisors. City officials acknowledged that the findings aligned with concerns raised by residents earlier this year and committed to using the assessment as a blueprint for measurable change. Despite the criticisms, the review acknowledged some ongoing improvements, including updates to facilities and the early adoption of revised policies. However, it emphasized that meaningful reform requires more than facility upgradesit demands cultural shifts reinforced through policy, training, and transparent reporting. Auditors stressed that the effectiveness of OCIB in fighting crime cannot be measured by arrests alone, but must be evaluated against long-term community safety outcomes and constitutional compliance. For the public, the report offers rare visibility into how technical operationslike evidence storage, radio traffic, and CI managementdirectly affect both civil liberties and officer safety. By bringing these behind-the-scenes issues to light, the consultants placed the burden on leadership to implement not just procedural changes but systemic accountability measures.