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.

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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.

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