Gov. Charles Baker signed “An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth,” a controversial piece of legislation that creates a mandatory certification process for police officers, increases accountability and transparency in law enforcement and gives police departments a greater ability to hire or promote only qualified applicants.
“This bill is the product of bipartisan cooperation and thanks to the Black and Latino Caucus’ leadership on the hugely important issue of law enforcement accountability, Massachusetts will have one of the best laws in the nation,” said Baker. “Police officers have enormously difficult jobs and we are grateful they put their lives on the line every time they go to work. Thanks to final negotiations on this bill, police officers will have a system they can trust and our communities will be safer for it.”
Gov. Charles Baker signed “An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth,” a controversial piece of legislation that creates a mandatory certification process for police officers, increases accountability and transparency in law enforcement and gives police departments a greater ability to hire or promote only qualified applicants.
“This bill is the product of bipartisan cooperation and thanks to the Black and Latino Caucus’ leadership on the hugely important issue of law enforcement accountability, Massachusetts will have one of the best laws in the nation,” said Baker. “Police officers have enormously difficult jobs and we are grateful they put their lives on the line every time they go to work. Thanks to final negotiations on this bill, police officers will have a system they can trust and our communities will be safer for it.”
‘You couldn’t pay me to take it’: As COVID vaccine rolls out for Massachusetts first responders, some police, fire departments split on taking it
Updated Jan 02, 2021;
With Massachusetts first responders standing next in line to receive the coronavirus vaccine, the Auburn Police Department, like many law enforcement agencies across the state, surveyed its officers earlier this month to see how many plan to get vaccinated for the viral respiratory infection.
The results were compelling. Fewer than half the members of the department, 29 officers, said they plan to get vaccinated, while 31 answered they do not, with the town’s chief of police among those opting out of getting immunized.
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Massachusetts law enforcement officials are mourning the passing of a police officer known for his compassion who died from COVID-19 on Christmas Eve.
Patrolman John Borges, 48, was a search and rescue specialist and officer in Taunton. He was also a lead trainer for Massachusetts Emergency Management and active with the Civil Air Patrol.
Borges was born in Portugal and immigrated to the US with his family when he was 18 months old, according to his obituary.
He was a member of the Taunton Police for 22 years.
On Wednesday, Dec. 30, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association shared a memorial post to their Facebook page with the added, “RIP, Brother.”
Hampden Police Chief Jeff Farnsworth resigns to assume new post
Updated Dec 24, 2020;
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HAMPDEN After nearly 30 years with the town’s police force, Hampden Police Chief Jeff Farnsworth has resigned to accept a new position.
In a Dec. 17 letter to town officials, Farnsworth provided a 30-day notice of his resignation in accordance with his contract with the town. His last day with the Hampden Police Department will be Saturday, Jan. 16.
Farnsworth confirmed his resignation, but said he could not speak to his new position until the organization released an official announcement.
Farnsworth has served as chief since 2006. His police career began in 1986 as a patrol officer in Southampton Police Department. He transferred to Hampden Police Department in 1992.