The disciplinary trial board listening to for Mass State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, who’s suspended for his offensive texts about homicide defendant Karen Learn, will drag on for a number of extra weeks, a minimum of.
Proctor — who in texts known as Learn a “whack job” and a “babe,” and texted “No nudes so far” to colleagues whereas looking out her telephone, and wrote “Hopefully she kills herself” — was suspended with out pay following the primary Learn trial final yr. He stays relieved of responsibility and suspended with out pay, in keeping with State Police.
After State Police completed its inside affairs investigation, the division convened a trial board as the following step within the disciplinary course of. The trial board is out of the general public’s eye, as Proctor may face everlasting self-discipline.
The primary day of Proctor’s trial board listening to was in mid-January. The proceedings resumed on Monday at State Police common headquarters in Framingham the place they continued with no determination.
“The proceedings will continue for Day 3 on Thursday, March 13,” an MSP spokesperson mentioned in an announcement after the listening to on Monday. “Should the trial board need an additional day, the proceedings will continue on Friday, March 14.”
On the finish of any IA investigation, the division could pursue prices that will be adjudicated by a State Police Trial Board. The board makes disciplinary suggestions to the superintendent, who determines the ultimate consequence.
“A State Police Trial Board shall hear cases regarding violations of Rules, Regulations, Policies, Procedures, Orders, or Directives,” reads the Division’s Guidelines and Rules.
“The Trial Board shall enter a determination of ‘Guilty’ or ‘Not Guilty’ for each charge/specification,” the principles and rules state. “In the event that the Trial Board finds guilt by a preponderance of the evidence on one or more of the charges, the Trial Board shall consider the evidence presented by the Department prosecutor pertaining to the accused member’s prior offenses/disciplinary history, and shall make recommendations for administrative action.”
The trial board forwards its findings to the Lieutenant Colonel/Deputy Superintendent.
“In the event the Trial Board finds the member not guilty, such finding shall be final and conclusive, except as otherwise provided by law,” reads the principles and rules.
The division relieved Proctor of responsibility on July 1, the exact same day a mistrial was declared within the Learn case. Proctor was transferred from the Norfolk DA’s Detective Unit to area companies although he was ineligible to work. The State Police convened an obligation standing listening to, and suspended him with out pay efficient July 8.
