BOSTON (AP) — Boston’s first black police commissioner is defending his recent meeting with U.S. Attorney General William Barr after the mayor and at least one city councilor raised objections.

Commissioner William Gross said Thursday’s meeting at police headquarters was an “opportunity to educate” the head of the Department of Justice about police training, community relations and the need for national changes.

Barr’s office on Thursday tweeted a picture of Barr and Gross together, smiling, and thanked the commissioner for his “wonderful hospitality and invaluable insight and advice.” The caption also said it was the first time a sitting U.S. attorney general had visited the department.

Mayor Marty Walsh, a Democrat, tweeted that Barr and the Republican administration of President Donald Trump “do not share Boston’s values or my values.”

“His actions and general lack of respect for people and their rights are a danger to our city and the future of our country,” he said.

The mayor has proposed cutting $12 million from the police budget to use for social service programs.

Councilor Michelle Wu was among those also critical of the meeting. She called it a “disgrace” and a “breach of trust to our communities.”

Gross strongly defended the meeting at a news conference Thursday night.

“You never ever run and hide from a conversation,” he said. “I spoke for the people in Boston today to a top official in D.C. that I thought needed to hear the message from a black man — from a proud police commissioner.”

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