The Berkshire Eagle
In its police reform bill, the Massachusetts Legislature sought to address civilians’ calls for
police accountability while ensuring that law enforcement kept a seat at the table.
This approach, lawmakers believe, allowed them to “strike a balance” between protecting
civilians and providing law enforcement with the tools to perform its duties. Many reform minded
activists have praised the bill as a first step toward change, while prominent police
unions called it a bridge too far.
One Berkshire County police chief, however, told The Eagle his department is “in good
shape with … many of the issues proposed in this bill,” having already begun an effort to
build trust by increasing transparency.
