Adjudicatory Proceeding In the Matter of Cara Rossi Case No. 2024-003-S
Pre-Hearing Conference Monday, March 18, 2024 10 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. (via Zoom)
Hearing Officer: Hon. Judith A. Cowin (Ret.)
Prosecuting Attorney: Shaun Martinez, Esq.
Appellant Counsel: Leah Barrault, Esq.
POST Launches LEA Portal Statewide, Prepares for Disciplinary Record Release
The Commission has officially launched its Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) portal, a new system for submitting disciplinary reports. As of March 4, all agencies across the state have access to the portal. The Executive Director reported that POST has held five training sessions, reaching 250 attendees, and added a dedicated section on its website with reporting requirements, key dates, resources, and training videos.
The first public release of records submitted through the portal—covering incidents reported after January 31, 2023—is scheduled for May 1.
In a related update, POST’s Finance team testified before the Joint Ways and Means Committee on March 19 in support of the Governor’s proposed $8.7 million FY25 budget appropriation.
Adjudicatory Hearing (in-person and via Zoom)
Hearing Officer: Hon. Judith A. Cowin (Ret.)
Prosecuting Attorney: Shaun Martinez, Esq.
Appellant Counsel: Leah Barrault, Esq.
In-office visitors must adhere to the POST weapons policy.
Adjudicatory Proceeding In the Matter of Robert Devine Case No. 2024-004-S
Pre-Hearing Conference (via Zoom)
Hearing Officer: Hon. Kenneth J. Fishman (Ret.)
Prosecuting Attorney: Shaun Martinez, Esq.
Appellant Counsel: Robert Stowe, Esq.
Meeting Summary: The Subcommittee approved the minutes from the February 27, 2024 meeting and reviewed a draft plan for officer recertification. Members discussed a proposal to recertify recent academy graduates and considered potential criteria to guide the recertification process. The meeting also included public comment.
POST Prepares to Certify Final Group of Officers, Releases Annual Report
The POST Commission announced that certification for officers with last names Q–Z will expire on June 30, 2024, marking the final group of officers to be certified for the first time under the statutory mandate. The LEA portal is expected to open on May 1 to collect required documentation, and agencies must submit all information or request an extension by the June 30 deadline. POST has scheduled training sessions to support the process.
The Commission also provided an overview of its 2024 annual report.
In other business, POST held a hearing in the matter of Gregg Bigda (Case #23-002-C / ED22-001-C). Attorneys for both Bigda and the Commission presented 15 minutes of oral argument followed by rebuttals.
In the Matter of William Farwell Case No. 2024-003-S
April 23, 9:30 AM (end time to be determined by proceedings)
Status Conference (via Zoom)
Hearing Officer: Hon. Judith A. Cowin (Ret.)
Prosecuting Attorney: Shaun Martinez, Esq.
Appellant Counsel: David M. Bae, Esq.
POST Advances Officer Recertification, Approves New Regulations and Certification Timeline
The POST Commission reported continued progress on officer recertification efforts, with the certification portal opening on May 1, 2024, for officers with last names Q–Z. The certification team is processing submissions ahead of the June 30 deadline.
The Division of Standards is focused on the “catch-up” project—verifying complete disciplinary records between January 31, 2023, and March 5, 2024. Agencies have been asked to review and close out any open complaints to support this effort.
In a financial update, the House concluded its FY25 budget debate on April 26, maintaining POST’s $8.75 million appropriation. However, the Senate’s proposed budget includes a $90,000 reduction, lowering the appropriation to $8.66 million.
The Commission voted to approve draft regulations under 555 CMR 12.00, which cover the maintenance, reporting, and auditing of law enforcement records and information. The approval moves the draft into the formal promulgation process.
The subcommittee on certification also proposed a new timeline for officer recertification—three years plus the officer’s birthday—to help evenly distribute agency workload and provide a consistent reminder for officers. The Commission voted to approve and ratify the updated schedule.
Meeting Summary:
The Subcommittee approved the minutes from the April 11, 2024 meeting and continued its review of the draft plan for officer recertification. Members discussed proposed criteria to guide the recertification process, followed by a public comment period.
William Farwell Case No. 2023-012-S
Status Conference (via Zoom)
Hearing Officer: Hon. Judith A. Cowin (Ret.)
Prosecuting Attorney: Shaun Martinez, Esq.
Appellant Counsel: David M. Bae, Esq.