City Council pushes for special commission on peace officer standards, training

The Council adopted a resolution urging the Massachusetts General Court and Governor Charles Baker to pass House Bill H.2146, Resolve providing for a “Special Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training” to study and make recommendations concerning the implementation of a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) system.



According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is one of only six states that does not license police officers, but requires licenses for over 50 other trades and professions.



Police officers from neighboring municipalities often assist and collaborate with the Boston Police Department. Bipartisan House Bill H.2146 would create a Special Commission in order to ensure standardized certifications and licensing across municipal police departments.



The resolution offered by Councilor Campbell states that “statewide certification and licensing is critical to providing standards for training requirements and creating accountability measures across the Commonwealth.”