Awareness and Training Requirements Established

In the waning days of the 2024 legislative session MAPLE went on record endorsing H2379 and S1578, legislation that would require the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) to  develop formal guidelines for investigating cases involving missing or abducted children.  Additionally, the legislation would mandate that the Municipal Police Training Council (MPTC) develop a two-hour in- service training session beginning this training year on how to conduct these investigations.  

Concerns have been increasing over the issue of missing and abducted children.   Heather Bish, the sister of Molly Bish,who as tragically murdered a few years ago as a result of an abduction in Central Massachusetts, contacted MAPLE a few years ago and asked for our support for such legislation.   MAPLE Director Ann Marie Mires was tracking this legislation,which has been bypassed year after year.   MAPLE was asked to lend its support in hopes that it help the bill cross the legislative threshold this year. Predicated on Ann Maries recommendation, the Board of Directors voted on the endorsement and all nine members agreed to support this legislation.