The Massachusetts Coalition of Police – representing over 4,300 members in 157 communities statewide – wishes to publicly acknowledge and express our gratitude to the bi-partisan group of 66 House lawmakers who stood up for what is right in the H4860 Police Reform debate.
Lawmakers Oppose H4860
Our Union has been strongly supportive of responsible police reform, and we have attempted to focus the Legislature on substantive changes that can be implemented immediately. We have also pointed to issues that need more thorough study and debate in order to be fairly and safely administered.
Throughout this process, there have been a number of representatives who have been collaborative and supportive of efforts to create a fair and equitable police reform law. They have recognized that there are a number of proposals in these bills that will endanger not only police officers, but the public as well. Because they were able to recognize these problems – and felt the process should be slowed down to examine these issues properly – they voted NO on H4860 as presented.
Scott A. Hovsepian
President
John E. Nelson
First Vice President
Robert W. Murphy
Secretary/Treasurer
P: 508-581-9336
F: 508-581-9564
It takes a strong sense of right and wrong to resist the pressure some people are putting on these legislators. That is admirable. It takes a strong intellect to recognize the problematic issues contained in these bills and to want them corrected. That is impressive. It takes a strong will to stand up and be counted as a person who is interested in making law enforcement accountable, while maintaining fairness and due process. That is commendable.
Strong sense of right and wrong, strong sense of intellect, and strong will are all qualities we should be supporting in our legislators. We applaud these 66 legislators for their decisive and thoughtful action. Their vote has had a true impact on the remainder of this process and will affect the final outcome.
We ask that all MassCOP members- and all constituents and members of the public- support these principled and courageous legislators, especially those with challengers in November. Legislators focused on the safety of everyone in our communities are an extremely valuable resource that we cannot afford to lose.
Sincerely,
Scott Hovsepian
President
John Nelson
First Vice President
Robert Murphy
Secretary/Treasurer
Timothy King
In-House Counsel
