Dear MassCOP Members,
The Executive Board of MassCOP wants to take this opportunity to thank each and every member who has taken the time to participate in our efforts to educate and inform the legislature on matters relating to police reform. As you know, the House took their vote to pass H-4860. The vote was 93-66, which represents an important number. The 66 indicates that if the Governor were to veto any portion of this bill that there would not be a sufficient number of votes to override the veto. This is a very important piece of the puzzle, as it changes the dynamic of the process. This would not have been possible without each and every one of you participating.
But it is important to recognize that THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER!!!!!
Scott A. Hovsepian
President
John E. Nelson
First Vice President
Robert W. Murphy
Secretary/Treasurer
P: 508-581-9336
F: 508-581-9564
On Monday the legislature will create a Conference Committee. It will consist of three Senators and three House members. We have an idea of who they will be, but that will be confirmed tomorrow. We hope that when this smaller body gets together to craft a bill out of the Governor’s, the Senate, and the House bills, that common sense will prevail, and a decent final result will be produced. We continue to lobby for our positions on Qualified Immunity, Use of Force, Due Process, Collective Bargaining Rights, and others. This committee has an immense amount of work to do in a very short period of time.
Once the Conference Committee finished their work producing a final bill, they will send it to both the House and the Senate for votes. The bill will then be sent to the Governor where he will have the ability to veto the entire bill, veto sections, or amend sections. We have continued to work with the Governor’s Office to assist them in crafting the best possible reform bill.
Groups like the ACLU and others have continued their assault on our rights. They have been sending a large number of letters, emails, and calls, to the legislature. We need to continue our efforts of contacting your Senators and Representatives on the subjects that we have been focused on throughout this process. Although there is a short period of time remaining, there is still a huge amount of work that needs to be completed before this bill becomes law. We still have the ability to make favorable changes that will preserve our ability to protect ourselves and the communities where we work.
In Solidarity,
Scott A. Hovsepian
President
