Mayor Michelle Wu of Boston has tapped Evandro Carvalho to head the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency (OPAT), a role designed to beef up trust, transparency, and accountability within the city's Police Department. The news, first reported by the city's official website, outlined that Carvalho's appointment is set to shake up the relationship landscape between the Boston Police Department (BPD) and the diverse communities it serves.

In this newly-minted role, Carvalho is tasked to closely work alongside advisory boards and panels to swiftly and fairly investigate complaints of police misconduct. "Every resident, in every neighborhood, should be safe and feel safe in the knowledge that our Police Department and City will uphold the responsibility to serve and protect," Wu stated in a release, signalling a commitment to bridging gaps between law enforcement and the public. Carvalho is to also assure that the BPD's internal affairs are transparent as glass and as thorough as can possibly be.

Carvalho's resume is robust with experiences that seemingly fit the bill for this appointment. Beginning his law career at WilmerHale, he since held a progressive political torch in Massachusetts, championing police and criminal justice reform, and tackling youth issues as a state legislator – as per details shared on the Boston.gov announcement.

In a city statement, Carvalho expressed gratitude for the appointment, saying, "I want to thank Mayor Michelle Wu for this incredible opportunity to continue to serve the people of Boston in this new capacity." His journey from Cabo Verde to the corridors of power has been marked by significant service in various roles, most recently as the General Counsel for the Supplier Diversity Office of Massachusetts. Now, as Executive Director of OPAT, Carvalho is set to maybe help the BPD scale new heights in community engagement and inclusivity.

OPAT's foundation lies in a 2020 ordinance and stems from recommendations by the Boston Police Reform Task Force. It's a vessel for Bostonians to voice their concerns regarding police conduct – with Carvalho at the helm, expectations are that the office will be navigated with an even-handed approach. Carvalho and the OPAT team's dedication to the cause is slated to begin immediately as they guide the BPD towards a more community-centric paradigm.