Meeting Summary:  

The executive director provided an update on the major milestones of 2025, including onboarding seven employees, the issuance of nearly 65 decisions and orders, the ongoing development of agency certification standards, monthly disciplinary records releases, and more. He also shared potential projects for 2026, including an increase in disciplinary cases, deployment of a business intelligence tool, implementing a law enforcement agency auditing program, publishing letters of commendation, and more. 

The executive director then provided an administrative and budget update, including the recent hiring of two new compliance agents to the Division of Standards, and that staff are in the final stages of hiring a new records access officer. He also shared that the Commission’s budget is plateauing and that staff will work to realize efficiencies by leveraging work through regulations and guidance, improving internal workflows, and continuing enhancements to technology. 

The executive director then reintroduced a request from the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association (MCOPA) to form an advisory committee to provide the Commission with input on policy development. He summarized a recent meeting with Commission staff and MCOPA on this topic, as well as a new proposal letter from MCOPA. The Commission did not make a decision regarding the formation of the committee and will revisit this matter at a future meeting with more detailed recommendations from staff. 

Division of Certification staff presented a request from Stephen Gondella for voluntary relinquishment of certification. The request was approved.

Finance and Administration staff provided a financial update regarding the Commission’s fiscal year 2027 budget request of $9.59 million. The Commission voted to approve the FY27 budget request. Staff also shared diversity metrics, comparing Commission demographics with statewide population and state workforce data. 

Legal Division staff presented two revised draft guidance documents for uncertified constables. The drafts were last presented in October 2025. The Commission voted to approve the guidance. Following that, staff presented a request to remove Complaint No. 6616 from the public disciplinary records database. The Commission approved the request. Legal Division staff presented revised Detainee Transportation draft standards as part of the agency certification initiative. The standard was last presented in September 2025. 

Meeting Agenda (PDF)

Meeting Materials (PDF)

POST Commission Invites Public Comment on Two Applications for Voluntary Relinquishment of Certification

Watch Recording

Remote Participation via Zoom

1) Call to Order
2) Approval of Minutes
a) December 18, 2025
3) Executive Director Report – Enrique A. Zuniga, Eric Rebello-Pradas
a) General Update
b) Finance Update – Q2 Results
4) Recommendation to form Advisory Committee
5) Legal Update – Randall E. Ravitz
a) Guidance Regarding Heads and Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies
6) Agency Certification Standards – Randall E. Ravitz, Annie E. Lee
a) Juvenile Operations
b) Internal Affairs and Officer Complaint Investigation Procedures
7) Matters not anticipated by the Chair at the time of posting
8) 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 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 prior Executive Session minutes.
a) Division of Standards reports of Preliminary Inquiries in the following cases:
i) PI-2024-024
ii) PI-2024-072
b) Application for Voluntary Relinquishment of Certification in the following matter:
i) Dean Paine formerly of the Westborough Police Department
c) Division of Standards request to enter voluntary decertification, suspension or disposition agreement in the following cases:
i) PI-2025-002
ii) PI-2023-07-12-003
iii) PI-2025-026
iv) PI-2025-028
d) Division of Standards request for approval to conduct Preliminary Inquiries and/or impose a suspension in the following cases:
i) PI-2026-001
ii) PI-2026-002
iii) PI-2026-003
iv) PI-2026-004
v) PI-2026-005
vi) PI-2026-006
vii) PI-2026-007
e) Approval of the minutes of the Executive Session of December 18, 2025

Meeting Agenda (PDF)

Meeting Materials (PDF)

POST Commission Invites Public Comment on Dean Paine’s Voluntary Relinquishment of Certification Application

Watch Recording

Remote Participation via Zoom https://zoom.us/j/93891064289
Meeting ID: 938 9106 4289

1) Call to Order
2) Approval of Minutes
a) January 15, 2025
3) Executive Director Report – Enrique A. Zuniga, Eric Rebello-Pradas
a) General Update
b) Finance & Administration Update
4) Agency Certification Standards – Randall E. Ravitz, Annie E. Lee
a) Detainee Transportation
b) Collection & Preservation of Evidence
5) Legal Update – Randall E. Ravitz, Heather E. Hall, Annie E. Lee
a) Use of Force Model Policy
6) Application for Voluntary Relinquishment of Certification
a) Paul Oliveira, formerly of the New Bedford Police Department
7) Performance Evaluation of the Executive Director
8) Matters not anticipated by the Chair at the time of posting
9) 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 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 prior Executive Session minutes.
a) Division of Standards reports of Preliminary Inquiries in the following cases:
i) PI-2025-031
ii) PI-2025-039
iii) PI-2025-032
iv) PI-2025-036
b) Application for Voluntary Relinquishment of Certification in the following matter:
i) Erik Loiko formerly of the Southampton Police Department
c) Division of Standards request to enter voluntary decertification, suspension or disposition agreement in the following cases:
i) PI-2025-022
d) Division of Standards request for approval to conduct Preliminary Inquiries and/or impose a suspension in the following cases:
i) PI-2026-008
ii) PI-2026-009
iii) PI-2026-010
iv) PI-2026-011
v) PI-2026-012
vi) PI-2026-013
vii) PI-2026-014
viii)PI-2026-015
ix) PI-2026-016
x) PI-2026-017
xi) PI-2026-018
e) Suspension Hearing in the Matter of Michael Villanueva, Case No. 2025-038
f) Suspension Hearing in the Matter of Sean Flaherty, Case No. 2024-026
g) Approval of the minutes of the Executive Session of January 15, 2025

Meeting Agenda (PDF)