The candidates in the 10th Norfolk District State Representative race agreed to participate in an online debate — responding to questions suggested by Observer readers — in writing, in the Observer. One question and the candidate’s respective responses will be published for a total of seven weeks leading up to the election. Here is question number 1 and Rep. Roy’s response on reforming the Massachusetts State Police..

1) What do you think needs to be done to reform the Massachusetts State Police? Or, what would you try to do as a legislator to reform the State Police?

The legislature has, and will continue to use, a multi-faceted approach that emphasizes transparency, accountability, and modernization of the State Police.

In 2020, the legislature passed a new law that includes a certification system for police officers, public access to police misconduct investigation records, and reporting of police violence. It also established four permanent commissions, increased accountability and transparency in law enforcement, and gives police departments a greater ability to hire or promote only qualified applicants. 

The legislation included key provisions of the State Police reform legislation that the Baker administration filed, including tools to improve accountability and discipline within the department. The language gave the governor, for the first time, power to pick someone from outside the ranks of the State Police to helm the agency. And Governor Healey used that new authority to hire Geoffrey D. Noble of New Jersey earlier this month.

The new law also creates a new civilian-led police oversight board – the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission – with subpoena power and decertification authority. The nine-member independent state entity has the authority to establish policing standards, certify law enforcement officers, investigate allegations of misconduct, and suspend or revoke the certification of officers who are found by clear and convincing evidence to have violated its standards.

On training and education, the Massachusetts State Police Academy provides extensive training opportunities to new recruits and in-service law enforcement. I have toured the facility and participated in the training to see firsthand how the best practices are implemented.