POST Update
POST EXAMINES QUESTION OF “GROUP SPECIFIC” DE-ESCALATION POLICIES:
Terry Stops and Critical Incident Debriefs Also Discussed
MAPLE monitored the April 17th 2025 POST commission meeting via zoom. Annie Lee, the commission’s certification coordinator, was prominently featured in a discussion of preliminary drafts for pending certification standards. Three areas were discussed, de-escalation with regard to “vulnerable groups”, concerns over stop and frisk and debriefs after critical incidents.
With regard to de-escalation involving “vulnerable groups”, the commission examined a proposal, that would require officer’s to tailor de-escalation methods to particular populations. Vulnerable groups were identified as: the medically dependent, the drug addicted, homeless people, the mentally ill and other unspecified high-risk groups. This topic sparked a lively conversation which saw Commissioner Calderone question the need for the policy. An additional draft proposal also sought to formally implement procedural justice principles to govern police interactions with the public. Police officers would be required to state their names and provide contact information for feedback regarding their service.
A second proposal that came under discussion would establish a “new” standard for threshold inquiries, higher than that required in Terry vs Ohio. The new standard would require officers to have “reasonable articulable suspicion” rather than the current standard of “reasonable suspicion” as stated in the Terry opinion. POST Chair Margaret Hinckle found this suggestion very confusing, an inquired as to whether the standard was redundant. Commissioner Calderone quickly questioned the need for further defining the Terry standard since the court had already explicitly done so. Lee offered that the standard would offer both further clarification of the Terry standard and hopefully prevent racial profiling and fishing expeditions by officers. Limiting the time of stops was also discussed. Calderone took strong exception to the proposal stating that establishing time limits is not necessary. He added, that if there is abuse, the courts would deal with that in trial, and if the issue was harassment, that would be dealt with through a civilian complaint process.
There was also a discussion about mandating debriefs after critical incidents, but it became clear that the commissioners were talking past one other and comparing apples to oranges. Commissioner Bluestone interpreted the debrief to mean a reference to a wellness debrief where an officer is assisted with dealing with trauma. The other interpretation involved a debrief as a leadership tool to improve response. There were no votes taken on any of these matters. The purpose of the discussion was simply take information. The certification coordinator advised that she will continue to revise these drafts based on comments received. (Note: MAPLE forwarded comments on these three issues. These are attached for your review.
On other matters Executive Director Zuniga reported that POST is now working on completing its first recertification cycle and 8K officers have been recertified to date, ( Last Names A-H). Finance Director Eric Revello Pardas reported that POST received approval by both the Governor and the House for an 8.4M allocation in the state budget. Senate approval is expected in May. He also announced that the commission will increase its compliment of employees from 51 to 53 in June.
The Standards Division Director Matt Landry gave his report and disclosed that from October 2024 to March 2025, 359 complaints against officers were filed with POST. Agencies reported an additional 401 internal investigations during that period. Landry said that the POST commission is now averaging 30 complaints a week and all are responded to. He said that the commission conducts about 17 investigations a week. There have been 84 preliminary inquiries, 78 have been concluded. To date the commission has issued 62 suspensions and 43 decertifications.
MAPLE Activities
MAPLE’S SPRING GENERAL MEETING IS ANNOUNCED:
The Massachusetts Association for Professional Law Enforcement will conduct its Spring General Meeting on Tuesday June 3rd 2025 at IL Forno’s Restaurant in Littleton MA. Reception is at 11A. Lunch is at 12 noon. Business meeting starts at 1.00PM. The Lunch is free. Members are on their own if they want desert and/or alcoholic beverages. This year’s guest speaker is Professor Neil Shortland of UMass Lowell, who will speak on the issue of “Moral Trauma”. Something that many of us have experienced and may not know it. He is a very interesting speaker.
ELECTIONS ARE NOW UNDERWAY:
MAPLE Elections are now underway. All members should have received their ballots via email link. If members have not received these ballots, they should contact the election commissioner Deb Piehl at 508-450-5708 and she will work out any difficulties that you may have. MAPLE elections close at 5.00PM May 30th .
DUES ARE DUE:
Attention to all members, we are in another calendar year so dues to renew memberships are due. Dues remain at $50.00. Please send checks to MAPLE PO Box 323 Westford MA 01886. Please note we cannot accept government issued checks, they must be personal. Thanks to all who have renewed to day. Your support is much appreciated.
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