By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Boston, MA) Today Charlie Baker introduced legislation to address public safety and officer accountability in Massachusetts. Baker said he hopes the bill is the first step in a package of reforms that will meet the goals that we all share.
“The murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers showed us this is the time to get this done,” said Baker.
The legislation creates a certification program for law enforcement officers that must be renewed every three years. A data base will also be created for certified officers with training and conduct records, some of which will be open to the public. A process will be created to decertify police officers. Officers who fail to intervene and officers who use excessive use of force would be subject to decertification.
“The big gap is we lack a certification program,” said Baker.
Baker hopes that this legislation will give police officers the resources they need to build trust in the community. Baker said the bill is not about choosing sides and digging in, but giving police departments and police officers the resources they need to serve and allow a process to separate those officers who protect and serve and those who do not. Baker said there are eight to nine mandatory de certifications under the new bill including chock holds and commission of a felony. In addition, there will be discretionary de certifications. Both are yet to be agreed upon by the legislature, and Baker said he is hoping that an agreement will come within the 45 days remaining in the session.