In regards to both the Senate and House bills on Police Reform being passed and now discussed, I support and stand by the statements put out by the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association on each issue.
As it relates to both the Senate and House bills on Police Reform, I am deeply disappointed. Not because changes and discussions on these important issues of social justice and inequalities need to be had but because we are on the verge of making radical policing changes without proper discussion or input from both the public and policing professionals.
The legislation is being rushed through, bypassing the process normally followed in the House and Senate. With such comprehensive bills, one would think that committee and public hearings would be held throughout the Commonwealth, which would allow stakeholders to have a voice on such an important issue.
There is far too much at stake to pass bills of such magnitude with little or no input from all of us. Such action is completely contrary to government by the people, for the people. We all would support thoughtful legislation, which is fair and equitable to all stakeholders and our goal has always been to have an open and ongoing dialogue with our community to build a healthy relationship.
What is being done here is a knee jerk reaction to despicable events that happened 1,500 miles away instead of engaging in discussions followed by effective and meaningful action needed to identify issues here in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Lawrence Police Department is committed to serving the community with compassion and professionalism. The department has taken steps toward Accreditation and is ahead of the national policing curve in training, policy and procedure. Along with certifying our officers yearly, as mandated by Massachusetts law, the department’s policy and procedures are constantly reviewed and updated to reflect the best National Standards. As an example, the “No Choke” policy has already been in effect for years. The department also implemented an “Officers Duty to Intervene” in cases of excessive force.
The department’s training program far exceeds the requirements of the Massachusetts Municipal Training Committee and officers have been attending those being discussed nationally as mandates, such as, De Escalation, Implicit Racial Bias, Procedural Justice, Diversity, Cultural Awareness and Immigration Training.
The department endeavors to reflect the community and as a result is now a Minority-Majority police department in parity with its community. The Lawrence Police Department is now the most diverse department in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The department is more reflective and represents a diverse cross-section of the community including members of the Latino, Female, Asian, Black and LGBT community.
It is my hope that as police officers we will be judged on our own merits by what is happening here in Lawrence and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and not by those egregious actions of others that have led to a National Negative Agenda towards policing. The overwhelming majority of police officers are outstanding men and women dedicated to fair and equitable policing in their communities.
