State Police colonel tasked with reform is accused of breaking rules to promote his allies

 

Lawsuit alleges colonel rushed process to promote his driver, who’s accused of cheating

State Police colonel tasked with reform is accused of breaking rules to promote his allies

Reeling from an onslaught of Massachusetts State Police scandals, the governor in late 2019 appointed a new colonel, Christopher Mason, and pitched him as a reformer who could right the agency and spark culture change. While a parade of controversies has continued during Mason’s tenure, many have been linked to misconduct under previous colonels. But now a lawsuit filed by three veteran supervisors alleges recent improprieties around the agency’s promotional exam and promotions process, laying blame with Mason. Read the full story.

The accusations could further damage trust in the state’s largest law enforcement agency. Kevin M. Burke, a former state legislator, district attorney, and state public safety head, said the suit adds fuel to complaints he’s heard for years about colonels “playing around” with promotions.