The scandal-plagued Massachusetts State Police is being called for dissolution and replacement with a modern, civilian-led force that is fully accountable to the public. Governor Maura Healey, however, may not have the will to make such a drastic change, having close ties to the state police from her time as attorney general. Despite recent scandals and calls for reform, there is skepticism that meaningful change will come under her leadership. The recent death of a recruit during training has highlighted the need for reform, but Healey’s response has been criticized as lacking urgency and transparency. Calls for a federal investigation have been rebuffed in favor of an independent probe, and the reluctance to release video footage of the incident has raised concerns about accountability within the state police. The history of disbanding and replacing other police forces in Massachusetts suggests that such drastic action is not unheard of, but whether Healey will take similar steps remains to be seen. Calls for a new blueprint for the state police, led by competent civilians, are growing louder as the need for reform becomes more urgent.
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Replace scandal-plagued state police with civilian-led force
