Proposal Wins Support From Former Boston Police Planner, Jim Jordan

The Massachusetts Association for Professional Law Enforcement launched a legislative bid to upscale the educational qualifications for becoming a police officer in the Commonwealth.  A long-standing goal for the organization, the Board of Directors approved the initiative, and a legislative package was forwarded yesterday to state representative Russell Holmes for his review.  Holmes was selected because of his instrumental role in moving the police reform bill of 2020.  MAPLE is presenting this legislative proposal as part of an ongoing effort to professionalize and reform policing in Massachusetts.

The legislative proposal calls for changes to three specific statues: MGL C41 Section 96A,  MGL C31 Section 58 and MGL C6 Section 4f.  In all three statues, MAPLE is calling for the elimination of the current High School and GED requirement as a qualification for employment as a police officer,  to be replaced by a 60 college credit requirement in Criminal Justice, Police Science or a related field, selected and approved by the Massachusetts POST commission.  The intent is to have the bill appear on the 2026 legislative agenda.  Distribution to other Senators and Representatives is pending.  The proposal does not seek the elimination Veteran’s Preference but if passed, it will impose the 60 credit requirement on Veterans applicants as well.

We are also pleased to announce our legislative proposal has received the endorsement of former Boston Police Planner, Jim Jordan.  Jordan was approached following a article  he wrote for Commonwealth Magazine in which he advocated for a higher education requirement. Director Al Puller and President Galvin met with Jim at the Stockyard Restaurant in Brighton and shared an enjoyable afternoon discussing police reform.  We found Jim to be an enthusiastic supporter of such reform and we extended an invitation to him to join MAPLE. He said he was very interested in what we are trying to do. We look forward to receiving his application.

Note: See below for legislative attachments and photograph of the meeting at the Stockyard last week.