Boston Foundation salutes retiring Police Commissioner William Evans, congratulates incoming Commissioner William Gross

Boston – Boston Foundation President and CEO Paul S. Grogan today issued the following statement at the announcement of the retirement of Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, and the naming of Superintendent-in-Chief William Gross as his successor.

“We at the Boston Foundation applaud Commissioner Evans for his hard work not just as Commissioner, but in a career spanning nearly four decades as a member of the Boston Police Department. His hard work, dedication, and leadership skills have made him a respected, admired presence in Boston, at a time after the city’s resolve was challenged by the Boston Marathon bombings.

“We are also pleased to welcome superintendent-in-chief William Gross to the Commissioner’s role. Not only is his appointment historic, as he becomes the first African-American Police Commissioner in Boston history, it is well-deserved. Superintendent Gross, too, is no stranger to the people of Boston’s neighborhoods. Both he and the man he is replacing have spent countless hours not just patrolling the streets, but connecting with the community at fairs, community events, children’s gatherings, and dozens of other events across the city. They have both placed a strong emphasis on building community, and under Commissioner Gross, we look forward to continuing our work with BPD and the city.”

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The Boston Foundation, Greater Boston’s community foundation, is one of the largest community foundations in the nation, with net assets of more than $1 billion. In 2017, the Foundation and its donors paid $130 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and received gifts of more than $194 million. The Foundation is a close partner in philanthropy with its donors, with more than 1,000 separate charitable funds established either for the general benefit of the community or for special purposes. It also serves as a major civic leader, think tank and advocacy organization, commissioning research into the most critical issues of our time and helping to shape public policy designed to advance opportunity for everyone in Greater Boston. The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI), a distinct operating unit of the Foundation, designs and implements customized philanthropic strategies for families, foundations and corporations around the globe. For more information about the Boston Foundation and TPI, visit tbf.org or call 617-338-1700.