Sufficient is sufficient! What extra does Gov. Maura Healey have to reform the Massachusetts State Police?
Simply take a look at the Fb feedback on each latest MSP publish. Bay State residents are fed up with the scandals and time beyond regulation abuse, and who can blame them?
We will’t even print a number of the vile feedback Trooper Michael Proctor texted, in line with testimony within the Karen Learn trial. Simply put your thoughts within the gutter and that’s the tenor of these texts.
Sexually disgusting feedback don’t have any place in any homicide investigation. Did Trooper Proctor take into account that the sufferer here’s a Boston Police officer? A foster dad to his useless sister’s two youngsters?
Why didn’t one in all his State Police buddies textual content again and inform him to “Shut up!”
What’s much more disturbing, and that’s saying so much, is Trooper Proctor can also be assigned to the Brian Walshe homicide case, the place the Cohasset husband is accused of dismembering his spouse and scattering her physique elements, depriving her family members of a correct burial.
Did Trooper Proctor textual content about that homicide? the protection attorneys in that case have already subpoenaed his cellular phone information, so we’ll quickly discover out.
Is Gov. Healey going to attend and see what comes out of that case earlier than performing?
We get it. Gallows humor is a part of the enterprise for cops who see the worst of humanity. That’s why those who bear in mind the individuals beneath the blood and bullets deserve our gratitude. Trooper Proctor just isn’t one in all them. He must be fired, and the following State Police colonel ought to come from exterior the company.
As we reported, a legislation enforcement watchdog group is pushing Gov. Healey to ascertain a Blue Ribbon Fee to repair what’s improper with the State Police earlier than the company faces doable receivership by the Division of Justice.
The Healey administration says they’re down to 6 finalists for the following chief of the State Police. Does that embrace exterior candidates? If not, why not? We requested that query Monday and bought nowhere.
To his credit score, interim State Police Colonel John Mawn mentioned in a uncommon assertion to the Herald Sunday night that he shares the general public’s disgust however should respect “the integrity of the ongoing criminal trial and our own internal affairs investigation” and can’t remark additional on Trooper Proctor.
The true query is whether or not Gov. Healey and lawmakers have the braveness to problem the highly effective State Police union. If she’s aiming for larger workplace — U.S. Senate? Vice chairman? Cupboard member? — Gov. Healey can’t afford a no-confidence vote from the State Police. However is that the precise play right now? It isn’t. Braveness is known as for, and the State Police have misplaced the general public’s confidence, and somebody must win it again.
This complete concern boils right down to cash. Simply take a look at the take-home pay for State Law enforcement officials. (We do, yearly.) They crack the High 10 for highest earners in Massachusetts state authorities. Taxpayers fork over $400,000-plus to a few of these officers, and lots of blow previous $100,000.
Massachusetts deserves higher! Gov. Healey, rip up the political playbook, herald an outdoor skilled to run the State Police, and provides taxpayers the company they deserve.
