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Who is Patrick Rose? Ex-Boston police union boss pleads guilty to child rape charges

Patrick Rose, a former head of Boston’s police union who raped and sexually abused six children, was sentenced to up to 13 years in prison

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK: Patrick Rose, a former head of Boston’s police union, who raped and sexually abused six children, was sentenced to up to 13 years in prison after he admitted to the crime. The ex-Police Patrolmen’s Association boss, 67, pleaded guilty to 21 counts involving victims between the ages of seven and 16. 

Rose committed the crimes over a period of 27 years. Despite being accused of sexual abuse, he was allowed to stay on the job for two more decades. At the time, even an internal investigation found that it was likely he committed the crime. 

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Rose was seen crying in court on Monday, April 25, as some of his victims delivered their statements. “I saw you for what you really are – a coward, a predator of the weak and defenseless,” one victim said. Another victim said, “Your reputation? Absolutely gone. All you will ever be remembered as is another creep who has nothing going for him. Your job as a cop protecting people? Will that’s really quite ironic isn’t it?”

In a statement in court, Rose apologized for his “despicable behavior”. “I apologize to my former colleagues,” he said. “I apologize to my former friends, but more importantly, the more important thing in my life, I apologize to my family. To those I hurt, I’m so very sorry.”

Who is Patrick Rose?

Rose served as union president from 2014 until his retirement in 2018. He was arrested in August 2020 after being accused of sexually assaulting a relative for five years, beginning from when the child was seven years old. Five other victims later accused him of abuse. However, Rose initially pleaded not guilty and denied the charges. According to documents that were released last year, a 1996 internal police department probe revealed that top officials believed Rose likely abused a child, but he continued to patrol in Dorchester.

On April 25, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said that he hoped the guilty plea provided “some level of healing and recovery” for the victims. Anyone who was in that courtroom today knows the tremendous courage, fortitude and bravery that they withstood throughout this entire horrible incident.  These are monstrous, monstrous acts,” Hayden said in a statement. 

Pointing out Rose's violation of children's trust, prosecutor Audrey Mark said, "He had these children’s trust from the beginning. He didn’t need to gain it.  By virtue of his position, he had their trust.  And he violated their trust over and over. He violated their bodies.  And these children, and these adult survivors, will live with that trauma for the rest of their lives."