Story perspectives

Trooper Proctor's Certification Suspended Over Controversial Texts

12/22/2025

Summary

Story summary

The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission suspended Trooper Proctor's certification, citing public-safety concerns.
Proctor was terminated from the State Police in March after sending derogatory texts about Karen Read, a homicide suspect.
The texts raised questions about impartiality during Read's trial, which ended in a hung jury before her acquittal, and Proctor faced alcohol-on-duty allegations, while Read's lawyers allege investigators may have engaged in a cover-up.

History

Historical Context

The Massachusetts State Police has faced scrutiny over misconduct and accountability issues, notably since 2018 when investigations revealed troopers engaged in fraudulent overtime claims. In 2020, the wrongful conviction of a man prompted further calls for reform. The suspension of Trooper Proctor in 2024 due to derogatory texts about a homicide suspect underscores ongoing concerns about police integrity and public trust in law enforcement.

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Story summary

The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission suspended Trooper Proctor's certification, citing public-safety concerns.
Proctor was terminated from the State Police in March after sending derogatory texts about Karen Read, a homicide suspect.
The texts raised questions about impartiality during Read's trial, which ended in a hung jury before her acquittal, and Proctor faced alcohol-on-duty allegations, while Read's lawyers allege investigators may have engaged in a cover-up.

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