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.
Robert Devine Case No. 2024-004-S
Status Conference (via Zoom)
Hearing Officer: Hon. Kenneth J. Fishman (Ret.)
Prosecuting Attorney: Shaun Martinez, Esq.
Appellant Counsel: Robert Stowe, Esq.
POST Commission Introduces Plans for Mandatory Agency Certification, Announces Changes to the Disciplinary Records database, Honors Outgoing Member, Prepares for Certification Deadline
The POST Commission recognized Commissioner Larry Ellison with a certificate of appreciation for his service. Commissioners thanked Ellison for his contributions and welcomed his successor, Commissioner Eddy Chrispin, appointed by the Attorney General.
Executive Director Enrique Zuniga reported that the June 30 certification deadline is quickly approaching. POST is actively contacting departments that have not submitted certification information and plans to publish the names of non-compliant agencies.
POST continues making progress on the disciplinary records catch-up project. Starting July 1, certain records will be removed from the public database under 555 CMR 8.06(4)(b)(13), which excludes records of former officers who were certified more than three years ago, unless the officer was decertified. In addition, the July 2024 disciplinary records database will include POST-imposed discipline, such as decertifications, which were previously listed only in the “Decisions and Orders” section of the website.
On the financial front, the FY25 budget remains in the Conference Committee phase, with the House recommending $8.75 million and the Senate proposing $8.66 million. The final budget awaits the committee’s report, followed by a legislative vote and review by the Governor. Commissioners also received a staffing diversity update. Commissioner Luma suggested analyzing staff-only metrics—excluding appointed Commissioners—for a clearer view of hiring diversity.
The legal team presented options for implementing law enforcement agency (LEA) certification. Commissioners discussed expanding beyond the eight statutory requirements and supported an incremental rollout. They raised questions about staffing and funding to support implementation. Unlike other states that offer voluntary certification, Massachusetts aims to become the first with a mandatory agency certification program.