Massachusetts police certification: What does an officer need to get credentials? What can lead to decertification?
Updated Dec 15, 2020;
The crux of the massive police reform bill in Massachusetts is a system to certify police officers and a process to strip problem cops of those credentials.
The proposal, negotiated after George Floyd’s killing at the hands of Minneapolis police, stirred debates about the use of no-knock warrants, tear gas, K-9 units and other tactics in encounters with civilians. Even the version of the Peace Officer Standards and Training commission designed by legislators has mixed reviews, even though it’s similar to the system proposed by Gov. Charlie Baker in his bill.
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S.2963,
An Act relative to justice, equity and accountability in law enforcement in the Commonwealth.
The legislation represents the most comprehensive and intentional legislative response to incidents involving police practices in Massachusetts communities, says a Dec. 4 news releasefrom Sen. Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Rep. Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge) and Rep. Sean Garballey (D-Arlington).
The measure creates an independent, civilian-led commission to standardize the certification, training and decertification of police officers, bans the use of choke holds, limits the use of deadly force, creates a duty to intervene for police officers when witnessing another officer using force beyond what is necessary or reasonable under the circumstances and takes steps to break the school-to-prison pipeline.