State Police

Boston Police tweet a State Police K-9 bit a Boston Police officer during a joint search on Norfolk Street early this afternoon. No word on how serious the bite was.

The Herald reports.

Stephie says farewell to Richard Cashin, the State Police captain who died in a car accident in Saugus early yesterday:

... Ryan had him two years ago as a Lacross Ast. Coach. He had lots of passion for the kids and the sport. He treated them fairly and if you wern't so good at it he took the time to show you the way. Ryan goes to school with his son and the other sons is Stephens age. He has two older daughters also in their late 20's. He put a lot of time, effort and love into his community and it is truly a tragic loss for not only his family but the Tri-town too. Please take a moment in your hearts for him and the others he left behind, tonight at dinner we did. ...

Edward McCormack, 38, of West Roxbury, will be arraigned this morning in Suffolk Superior Court on charges he managed to obtain potent painkillers from a number of different pharmacies to feed his own addiction, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office:

McCormack was indicted Jan. 7, but had been suspended without pay since last April. State Police spokesman David Procopio said this morning that internal investigators began looking into allegations that McCormack obtained the drugs through "doctor shopping." Procopio declined to comment further on the case against McCormack, but added:

We are disappointed and saddened by Edward McCormack’s alleged behavior. Anyone suspected of breaking the law, whether a private citizen or police officer, will be investigated and, if the evidence warrants, prosecuted. The overwhelming majority of Massachusetts State Troopers conduct themselves with honor and integrity. In those rare instances when a department member does not do so, we investigate immediately and take appropriate action. Our responsibility to the citizens we serve demands nothing less.

Procopio added that McCormack had not actually worked as a trooper since April 12, 2005, when he was granted medical and personal leave. He became a trooper in 2002.

Innocent, etc.

So, I had my magistrate hearing for my scooter problem from back in September. I posted the details and result of today's hearing in response to the original post, but I wasn't sure how many people would see it using the "Most recent posts" as opposed to the story list and I know that many were interested to hear how it all turned out.

The moral of my entire story: The State Police have no idea what the moped law states and you should just accept whatever an officer tells you when he says it without question because the system will fail you in the end if you rely on it to treat you fairly.

Channel 4 reports.

Found innocent on charges he smacked a guy with a bottle in a fight last year at the Greatest Bar. Two former BC players, both now in the NFL, had been put on probation for the incident.

Channel 4 reports that whenever Massport takes over property, Boston Police lose their police powers. Might make sense for Logan, but the authority controls growing chunks of South Boston waterfront as well:

This issue is causing tension between Boston police and State police. For example, on the sidewalk in front of the New Seaport Hotel, Boston Police have no police powers. Because the hotel is owned by Massport, it is the exclusive jurisdiction of the State police.

Of course, the issue is hardly a new one for those of us who live on or near parkways, where there's a similar phenomenon (get into an accident on the VFW Parkway in West Roxbury, and you have to wait for State Police to show up).

State Sen. Jack Hart of South Boston is co-sponsor of a bill that would eliminate the MBTA's separate police force by merging its 257 officers into the State Police, the Bulletin reports.

And what was Daniel Brim doing that was so heinous a State Police officer blared the threat through a loudspeaker rather than come outside and investigate? Taking photos of the reflection of the Zakim Bridge on what turned out to be a State Police building (the one down by the Charles River dam?).

BostonMaggie doesn't care that AP claims Washington State troopers are the best dressed:

What utter nonsense! There is nothing hotter than a Massachusetts State Trooper. Good kissers too!

Lewis Forman marvels that the State Police could lose plastic explosives at Logan Airport:

... Um, did the donuts get in your way or the fact you are getting overtime x4 for standing around not noticing anything. ...

Lis Riba is less than reassured by official assurances that the explosive would need a detonator fuse to explode:

... Oh, I feel so much safer.

Because fuses are so hard to come by. ...

Over the years, Boston has slowly seen a reduction in the number of police departments it has (anybody remember the MDC police?). But it seems the State Police don't want to take over the MBTA police. BadTransit wonders why not.

On Blue Mass. Group, Ernie says an alleged fistfight between a State Trooper and a Boston patrolman is proof enough for him on why letting state troopers patrol Boston streets will only mean trouble:

... These kids cannot play together. Why? Probably because state troopers are glorified traffic cops who feel superior to most other police officers and departments in the state. Except Boston Police. Ernie laughed out loud upon reading the fight resulted from the state trooper trying to tell a Boston guy how to direct traffic. ...

Earlier:
Menino's change of heart on letting the State Police into Boston

Bruce is all for it:

... [H]ey, anything that can improve the quality of life for the people of Boston and make their mayor look like a bigger buffoon than he already shows himself to be on a regular basis, is what I call a win-win situation. ...

John Daley, who knows something about policing, predicts that even if the Romney/Healey administration insists on the State Police checking the immigration status of everybody they stop, the troopers will simply ignore the mandate:

...[T]hey will lose the ability to work effectively with local police departments on joint investigations or initiatives. Forget counter-terrorism investigations. No one will in the communities will talk to them. ...