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Public Meeting

Virtual Event Virtual Event

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.

 

Meeting Materials (PDF)

Meeting recording

Hearing in the Matter of James McCall

POST Commission 84 State Street, 2nd floor, Boston, MA, United States
Virtual Event Hybrid Event

Case No. 2024-048 Hearing In the Matter of James McCall
Hearing (via Zoom) and in person: POST Commission, 84 State Street, Suite 200, Boston, MA 02109
Presiding Officer: Hon. Judith A. Cowin (Ret.)
Respondent: James McCall, pro se
Enforcement Counsel: Tara L. Chisholm, Esq.

The hearing will be conducted according to the adjudicatory rules of practice and procedure outlined in M.G.L. c. 30A, §§ 10 and 11, 555 CMR 1.10, and 801 CMR 1.01, except as provided in 555 CMR 1.10(4).

In-person hearings are conducted at the POST Commission office:
Ellison Conference Room
84 State Street, Suite 200, Boston, MA 02109

*All adjudicatory proceedings conducted under 555 CMR 1.10 shall be public except where the Hearing Officer determines that full or limited closure is necessary to protect privacy interests and will not be contrary to the public interest. See 555 CMR 1.10(4)(a)2. Members of the public may attend open portions in person or view them remotely over Zoom.

All in-person attendees are reminded of the Commission’s policy prohibiting weapons in Commission offices and designated facilities.

Pre-Hearing Conference in the Matter of William Castro

Virtual Event Virtual Event

Case No. 2025-010 Pre-Hearing Conference In the Matter of William Castro (via Zoom)
Presiding Officer: Hon. Kenneth J. Fishman (Ret.)
Respondent’s Counsel: Walter H. Jacobs, Esq.
Enforcement Counsel: Timothy D. Hartnett, Esq.

The hearing will be conducted according to the adjudicatory rules of practice and procedure outlined in M.G.L. c. 30A, §§ 10 and 11, 555 CMR 1.10, and 801 CMR 1.01, except as provided in 555 CMR 1.10(4). *All adjudicatory proceedings conducted under 555 CMR 1.10 shall be public except where the Hearing Officer determines that full or limited closure is necessary to protect privacy interests and will not be contrary to the public interest. See 555 CMR 1.10(4)(a)2. 

Watch Recording

Public Meeting

Virtual Event Virtual Event

Commission Advances Streamlined Process for Officer Recertification, Adopts Voluntary Relinquishment Policy, Reviews Proposed Officer Response Procedures

The POST Commission reviewed the process for the second round of officer recertification, covering approximately 8,000 officers with last names A–H. Staff reported a streamlined process focused on confirming officer details and noting any changes since their previous certification. Moving forward, certification terms will last three years plus the officer’s birth month. The LEA portal will reopen May 5, 2025, to process applications. The Commission reminded agencies to report all job status changes, as officers not linked to an agency will be marked “Expired” when their certification ends.

The Division of Standards provided a semi-annual update, reporting 359 public complaints and 410 agency-submitted cases from October 1, 2024, through March 30, 2025. Staff review an average of 30 new public complaints and 17 agency reports each week.

The legal team presented updates on several standards, including use of force, officer response procedures, investigatory stops, traffic stops, and the code of conduct. Commissioners voted to adopt the draft policy on voluntary relinquishment of officer certification, which outlines the process and consequences of an officer choosing to give up certification.

Finance staff reported that 66% of the FY25 budget has been committed and shared updates on FY26 budget planning and upcoming legislative testimony.

Meeting Materials (PDF)

Meeting Recording

Single Commissioner Hearing in the Matter of Michael Richard

Case No. 2025-025 Single Commissioner Hearing in the Matter of Michael Richard (via Zoom)
Presiding Officer: Marsha V. Kazarosian, Esq.
Respondent’s Counsel: Colin R. Confoey, Esq.
Enforcement Counsel: Tara L. Chisholm, Esq.

This proceeding is closed to the public.

Pre-Hearing Conference in the Matter of Robert Devine

Virtual Event Virtual Event

May 6, 1 PM – 1:15 PM

Case No. 2024-003-P
Pre-Hearing Conference In the Matter of Robert Devine (via Zoom)
Presiding Officer: Hon. Kenneth J. Fishman (Ret.)
Respondent’s Counsel: Robert Stowe, Esq.
Enforcement Counsel: Shaun Martinez, Esq.

Watch Recording

May 6, 1:15 PM

The Pre-Hearing Conference will be followed by an in-person hearing at 1:15 PM that is closed to the public.
Case No. 2024-003-P
Pre-Hearing In the Matter of Robert Devine (in person)
Presiding Officer: Hon. Kenneth J. Fishman (Ret.)
Respondent’s Counsel: Robert Stowe, Esq.
Enforcement Counsel: Shaun Martinez, Esq.

 

Public Meeting

Virtual Event Virtual Event

Commission Advances Recertification, Reviews Complaint Reporting Delays, and Seeks Feedback on NDI Policy

At its May meeting, the POST Commission reported steady progress in officer recertification, reviews of complaints and incident reports, and legal policy development. The Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) portal opened May 5 to accept recertification applications for officers with last names A–H, and training sessions are now underway.

Executive Director Enrique Zuniga updated Commissioners on ongoing reviews of incident reports and monthly disciplinary record updates. He reported an increase in public and agency complaints, averaging 34 per month from the public and 15 from LEAs—up from last year’s averages of 30 and 10. The Commission also flagged several agencies with complaints overdue by more than 90 days, including closed cases where discipline remains pending. The average delay in resolving complaints across all agencies ranged from 134 to 161 days.

The Commission discussed budget developments, noting that both the House and Senate FY26 proposals maintained the Governor’s recommended $8.9 million appropriation—6% below the agency’s original $9.5 million request. The FY25 budget is projected to revert approximately $638,000.

The legal team presented key updates, including draft standards for criminal investigation procedures and criminal intelligence data management, developed in collaboration with the Municipal Police Training Committee. Legal staff also introduced a proposed policy on reporting to the National Decertification Index (NDI) that would limit NDI submissions to cases of officer decertification or certification revocation, as consistent with POST’s interpretation of legislative intent. It also includes provisions to prevent unauthorized edits to Massachusetts submissions.

Commissioners also reviewed draft guidance clarifying the meaning of police duties and functions as defined in POST regulations. No votes were requested on any legal matters, as the legal team sought feedback before moving forward.

Meeting Recording

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