Events

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Legal Division staff presented two revised draft guidance documents for uncertified constables.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

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Meeting Summary: 

The executive director began his update by acknowledging the recent passing of Officer Stephen LaPorta of the Uxbridge Police Department, who died from injuries sustained in a crash while assisting a motorist. He then addressed a letter received by the Commission from the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association (MCOPA) regarding the Commission’s recent guidance to constables. He shared that staff are reviewing the letter and will return to the Commission at a future meeting if amendments or additional clarification to the guidance are recommended. 

He then provided a general update on the Commission’s operations and ongoing projects, including the annual report, upcoming budget testimony before the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, progress toward the launch of a public business intelligence tool to improve reporting and data management, and a recent technology integration with the Commonwealth’s criminal justice information system that allows staff to be notified when officers have court interactions. 

The executive director then reintroduced a request from MCOPA to form an advisory committee to provide the Commission with input on policy development and requested a vote on whether to establish such a committee. The Commission voted not to form an advisory committee. 

The Legal Division presented proposed guidance regarding heads and officers of law enforcement agencies. The proposed guidance is intended to clarify how the Commission interprets the terms “head of an agency” and “officer of an agency” for purposes of applying M.G.L. c. 6E and Commission regulations. 

Legal Division staff presented revised Juvenile Operations draft standards as part of the agency certification initiative. The standard was last presented in November 2025. The Commission voted to preliminarily approve the draft standard with an amendment. Staff then presented the Internal Affairs and Officer Complaint Investigation Procedures draft standard for the first time. 

Meeting Agenda (PDF)

Meeting Materials (PDF)

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

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Meeting Summary: 

The executive director provided an update on the School Resource Officer Memorandum of Understanding Review Commission, noting that it has begun its five-year review cycle. He then shared recent outreach efforts, including a meeting with the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association and the Municipal Police Training Committee to discuss the potential development of a specialized training pathway for correctional officers seeking to become deputy sheriffs. 

The Finance and Administration Division then presented on the POST Commission’s budget, funding outlook for Fiscal Year 2027, and staffing. Staff shared that they are currently preparing testimony for an upcoming appearance before the Joint Committee on Ways and Means on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget request. The Governor’s budget proposal, filed on January 28, 2026, includes funding of just over $9 million for the Commission. This amount represents approximately $580,000 less than the Commission’s request. 

Legal Division staff presented revised Detainee Transportation draft standards as part of the agency certification initiative. The standard was last presented in December 2025. Staff then presented the revised Collection and Preservation of Evidence draft standard, which was last presented in November 2025. The Commission voted to grant preliminary approval of both draft standards. 

Staff then provided information on the development of a draft model use of force policy in collaboration with the Municipal Police Training Committee and noted that the Commission welcomes public comment on the proposed policy. 

The Division of Certification then provided an update on Paul Oliveira’s application for voluntary relinquishment of certification. Staff shared that, as part of the public comment process, they learned of an additional lawsuit that Oliveira did not disclose and require additional time to review the information. The matter was tabled. 

Chair Margaret Hinkle then reported the results of the executive director’s performance evaluation and expressed appreciation for his work. 

Meeting Agenda (PDF)

Meeting Materials (PDF)

Watch Recording