Certification Subcommittee Meeting
Virtual Event
Meeting Summary: Approval of minutes from the October 1 , 2024 and December 19, 2024 meetings.
Public Meeting #9 December 19, 2024 8:30 a.m.
Meeting Summary: Approval of minutes from the October 1 , 2024 and December 19, 2024 meetings.
Public Meeting #9 December 19, 2024 8:30 a.m.
Commission Marks 2024 Milestones, Sets 2025 Priorities, Reviews Survey Results on Officer Wellness
The POST Commission closed out 2024 with steady growth, the recertification of nearly 6,000 officers, seven Certification Subcommittee meetings on character, fitness, and officer wellness, and the launch of a new website. Other achievements included rolling out the disciplinary records portal with monthly updates and issuing new auditing regulations.
Looking to 2025, priorities include increasing Division of Standards case activity, finalizing agency certification standards, launching a business intelligence tool to improve reporting and analytics, and developing a law enforcement agency audit program.
The Commission also approved a FY26 budget request of $9.5 million, an 8% increase over FY25.
The Commission received a detailed presentation on the results of a recent survey sent to LEA heads examining agency resources, challenges, and standards for officer physical fitness and behavioral health. A survey of 213 mostly small to mid-sized agencies revealed that 180 have no physical fitness requirements, with common barriers cited as time, cost, and limited resources. On behavioral health, 127 agencies reported no requirements, and respondents highlighted stigma, cost, and cultural challenges as key obstacles. Commissioners urged expanding officer-centered wellness resources, adding annual wellness checks, and addressing misconceptions about mental health and decertification.
The legal team presented the revised code of conduct standard, incorporating MPTC feedback to expand definitions of “de-escalation” to include critical thinking, trauma-informed practices, and cultural relevance. Commissioners gave preliminary approval to accept the code of conduct standard as a preliminary draft.
POST Reports Progress in Officer Training Compliance, Announces Administrative Suspensions
The Executive Director began the meeting with a training compliance overview. The Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) provides 26 hours of in-service training annually—delivered either in person or online—along with 8 hours of firearms instruction and 6 hours of CPR. Agencies must report compliance to MPTC by September 30. Officers who fail to complete the required training will face administrative suspension, with certification reinstated once training is completed.
POST outreach to 356 officers who had not met in-service requirements proved largely successful. As of this meeting, only 14 officers had unresolved training discrepancies, and POST administratively suspended six of them.
In November 2024, MPTC flagged irregularities in the completion times of certain online training courses, affecting up to 487 officers from training years 2023–2025. MPTC directed agencies to review any officers with time discrepancies. Early findings indicate that 5%–10% of these cases require follow-up, which may result in disciplinary action or administrative suspension. Although many discrepancies had reasonable explanations, MPTC will require officers with unresolved issues in TY25 to retake the course in person.
The financial team reported that POST has committed over 48% of its budget for the second quarter of FY25. The Governor will release the FY26 budget next week, and POST is preparing to deliver its budget testimony.
Commission Reports Complaint Reporting Backlog, Streamlines Recertification, and Discusses Potential Oversight of Constables
Executive Director Enrique Zuniga opened the meeting by reviewing agency reporting compliance and overdue cases. Several agencies have exceeded the 90-day extension for open complaints, closed cases, and incident reports with pending discipline. Boston Police Department accounts for most of the overdue complaints, partly due to the Commissioner’s review of each case, which extends the timeline. Despite the backlog, more agencies are submitting reports faster, and overall open complaint report numbers are declining. The Commission will begin issuing quarterly reports tracking progress on closing open cases.
Commissioners also reviewed a proposed expedited plan for recertifying officers with last names A–H, whose certifications expire on July 1, 2025. The process will be significantly streamlined, and the LEA portal is set to open May 1. Officers will now be recertified on a three-year term plus their birth month, following a timeline structure previously approved by the Commission.
The Commission addressed concerns raised during a recent community meeting in Worcester about the legal status of constables. POST clarified that under M.G.L. c. 6E, any constable who executes arrests must be certified. Currently, no constables are certified. POST will begin collecting records from departments that employ or collaborate with constables to build a statewide database and assess future enforcement measures.
A financial update showed a potential $600,000 budget reversion for FY25. The Governor’s FY26 budget proposal includes an $8.92 million appropriation, $570,000 below POST’s original request. The Legal Division also provided updates on the recertification process.
Commission Reviews Officer Fitness and Wellness Survey Results, Advances Use of Force Reporting Standards, Announces Streamlined Recertification Process
The Legal Division shared results from a January survey of 60 police unions, developed with MPTC input, aimed at assessing current support for officer physical fitness and behavioral health. Survey responses showed broad union support for on-site gyms and on-duty exercise time, with moderate officer participation in fitness programs. The Cooper test emerged as the most commonly used fitness standard across both unions and agencies, echoing results from a previous agency survey conducted in November 2024.
Unions identified key barriers to behavioral health support, including stigma, fear of negative job consequences, time constraints, and concerns over POST reforms. While unions and agencies agreed on physical fitness benchmarks, they were sharply divided on behavioral health standards. Nearly half of union respondents opposed any formal mental health or wellness checks, citing concerns about privacy and intrusiveness.
The Legal Division also presented updates on the draft policy for voluntary relinquishment of certification and proposed revisions to Use of Force reporting standards. Commissioners requested further clarification on the status of the draft before voting to preliminarily approve the standards.
The Commission introduced a streamlined process for the upcoming recertification of incumbent officers with last names A–H whose certifications expire July 1. Under the revised system, POST will verify in-service training completion directly with the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC). Agencies must report any changes in employment status, disclose outstanding disciplinary issues since the officer’s last certification, and confirm the officer’s fitness to serve.
The Commission also discussed efforts to track agency constables and considered whether to further define police duties and functions in regulations.
The meeting concluded with an administrative update announcing the release of POST’s annual report.
Commission Advances Streamlined Process for Officer Recertification, Adopts Voluntary Relinquishment Policy, Reviews Proposed Officer Response Procedures
The POST Commission reviewed the process for the second round of officer recertification, covering approximately 8,000 officers with last names A–H. Staff reported a streamlined process focused on confirming officer details and noting any changes since their previous certification. Moving forward, certification terms will last three years plus the officer’s birth month. The LEA portal will reopen May 5, 2025 to process applications. The Commission reminded agencies to report all job status changes, as officers not linked to an agency will be marked “Expired” when their certification ends.
The Division of Standards provided a semi-annual update, reporting 359 public complaints and 410 agency-submitted cases from October 1, 2024, through March 30, 2025. Staff review an average of 30 new public complaints and 17 agency reports each week.
The legal team presented updates on several standards, including use of force, officer response procedures, investigatory stops, traffic stops, and the code of conduct. Commissioners voted to adopt the draft policy on voluntary relinquishment of officer certification, which outlines the process and consequences of an officer choosing to give up certification.
Finance staff reported that 66% of the FY25 budget has been committed and shared updates on FY26 budget planning and upcoming legislative testimony.
Commission Advances Recertification, Reviews Complaint Reporting Delays, and Seeks Feedback on NDI Policy
At its May meeting, the POST Commission reported steady progress in officer recertification, reviews of complaints and incident reports, and legal policy development. The Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) portal opened May 5 to accept recertification applications for officers with last names A–H, and training sessions are now underway.
Executive Director Enrique Zuniga updated Commissioners on ongoing reviews of incident reports and monthly disciplinary record updates. He reported an increase in public and agency complaints, averaging 34 per month from the public and 15 from LEAs—up from last year’s averages of 30 and 10. The Commission also flagged several agencies with complaints overdue by more than 90 days, including closed cases where discipline remains pending. The average delay in resolving complaints across all agencies ranged from 134 to 161 days.
The Commission discussed budget developments, noting that both the House and Senate FY26 proposals maintained the Governor’s recommended $8.9 million appropriation—6% below the agency’s original $9.5 million request. The FY25 budget is projected to revert approximately $638,000.
The legal team presented key updates, including draft standards for criminal investigation procedures and criminal intelligence data management, developed in collaboration with the Municipal Police Training Committee. Legal staff also introduced a proposed policy on reporting to the National Decertification Index (NDI) that would limit NDI submissions to cases of officer decertification or certification revocation, as consistent with POST’s interpretation of legislative intent. It also includes provisions to prevent unauthorized edits to Massachusetts submissions.
Commissioners also reviewed draft guidance clarifying the meaning of police duties and functions as defined in POST regulations. No votes were requested on any legal matters, as the legal team sought feedback before moving forward.
Commission Prioritizes Officer Wellness, Advances Juvenile Standards, and Grants First Voluntary Relinquishment
At this meeting, the POST Commission reaffirmed its commitment to officer wellness, emphasizing the psychological toll of law enforcement and the need for education, peer support, and stronger mental health resources. Guest speaker Dr. Tracie Goodness highlighted the impacts of trauma and PTSD, while Commissioner Hanya Bluestone advocated for mandatory wellness standards and support for officers and their families.
The legal team presented research on officer physical fitness and outlined key principles for draft juvenile operations standards, encouraging public feedback.
The Commission approved its first application for voluntary relinquishment of certification and postponed discussion of the National Decertification Index policy to the next meeting.
Commission Approves NDI Policy, Explores Officer Fitness Standards, and Announces New “Restricted” Certification Status
The POST Commission approved a new policy for sharing information with the National Decertification Index (NDI), a nationwide registry that tracks law enforcement officer decertifications.
Commissioners also discussed officer physical fitness in relation to recertification. They reviewed research showing that officers typically begin their careers in peak physical condition but often leave the profession less fit than the general population. The Commission explored potential standards, resources, and incentives to support wellness throughout an officer’s career, including considerations for age and breaks in service. These discussions may inform future regulatory changes.
The Commission also introduced a new “restricted” certification status for officers not currently affiliated with a law enforcement agency.
In other updates, the Division of Finance and Administration reported $8.07 million in FY 2025 budget activity, with an expected year-end reversion between $620,000 and $674,000. The agency currently employs 51 staff members.
NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA
Public Meeting #66
August 14, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.
Remote Participation via Zoom
1) Call to Order
2) Approval of Minutes
a) July 17, 2025
3) Executive Director Report – Enrique A. Zuniga
a) Certification
b) Disciplinary Records
c) Complaints & Incident Reports Quarterly Update
4) Legal Update – Randall E. Ravitz, Pauline Nguyen and Annie E. Lee
a) Overview of U and T visas and potential update to the Victim
Resources webpage
b) Agency Certification Initiative
i) Discussion of draft standard on officer response procedures
5) Division of Standards Update – Matthew P. Landry
a) Streamlined Process for Submitting Complaints
6) Matters not anticipated by the Chair at the time of posting
7) Executive Session in accordance with the following:
• M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(1), to discuss “the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, . . . or individual”;
• M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(5), to discuss the investigation of charges of criminal misconduct;
• M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(7), combined with M.G.L. c. 6E, § 8(c)(2), and to the extent they may be applicable, M.G.L. c. 6, §§ 168 and 178, to discuss matters relating to preliminary inquiries and initial staff review concerning whether to initiate such inquiries, and regarding certain criminal offender record information; and
• M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(7), combined with M.G.L. c. 30A, §§ 22(f) and (g), to discuss and approve the minutes of a prior Executive Session.
a) Reports of Preliminary Inquiry in the following cases:
i) PI-2025-006
b) Division of Standards request to enter voluntary decertification, suspension or disposition agreement in the following cases:
i) PI-2023-04-13-008
ii) PI-2024-075
iii) PI-2023-09-14-001
c) Division of Standards request for approval to conduct Preliminary Inquiries in the following cases:
i) PI-2025-042
d) Approval of the minutes of the Executive Session of July 17, 2025
Note that M.G.L. c. 66, § 6A(d) provides that “[a]n electronically produced document submitted to an agency . . . for use in deliberations by a public body shall be provided in an electronic format at the time of submission.”