Massachusetts Municipal Police Coalition

What's New at M.M.P.C.

MMPC Members prepare to engage Governor Patrick

Updated On: Jun 23, 2009 (21:55:00)

Updated On: Jun 23, 2009 (21:37:00)

On June 22, 2009 several hundred members of the MMPC gathered outside of the Arlington Town Hall Auditorium to protest the cuts made by Governor Patrick and the State Legislature to the Quinn Bill. Governor Patrick had planned a regional political event in Arlington, described as his own "Town Hall" meetings. The Arlington Police Patrolman's Union and the Arlington Police Ranking Officer's Association asked the MMPC and its members to support them in an informational picket at the event to inform the general public of its objections to the under-funding of the Quinn Bill. The event was a huge success. The committment and dedication of the officers and local members who showed up is truly commendable. Upon Governor Patrick's arrival at Arlington Town Hall, the governor was immediately met by the leadership team of the MMPC led by President Harold MacGilvray, Attorney Alan McDonald, Arlington Police Sergeant Rick Pedrini and Arlington Police Officer James Smith. In a surprise to all those present, the leadership team spoke with Governor Patrick for approximately 20 minutes while a full contingent of respectful police officers stood by watching in the rain. It should also be noted that Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety, Kevin Burke was on hand and took part in the discussions. As of that evening, it is believed that Governor Patrick had not addressed any other police group in such a fashion.

Governor Patrick was non-committal in his response to our objections regarding the Quinn Bill.

The MMPC succeeded in this endeavor solely as a result of the active support of its members. You were all extremely professional. An added thanks goes out to those officers whose wives, husbands, girlfriends and children took the time in the bad weather to support our fellow officers. A special thanks goes to Arlington Police Sergeant Rick Pedrini and Arlington Police Officer James Smith, Presidents of their respective Unions who put together an outstanding event. Please visit our photo gallery to view the pictures of the event.

QUINN BILL FUNDING FOR FY10

Updated On: Jun 23, 2009 (22:07:00)

The final budget for FY 10 has funded Quinn at 10 Million. It has also attatched the Granfathering Language. Here is the final language.

8000-0040 For police career incentives to reimburse certain cities and towns for career

incentive salary increases for police officers; provided, however, that regular

full-time members of municipal police departments hired on or after July 1,

2009 shall not be eligible to participate in the career incentive pay program

established pursuant to section 108L of chapter 41 of the General Laws;

provided further, that any current regular full-time member of a municipal

police department who has not started accumulating points pursuant to said

section 108L of said chapter 41 of the General Laws, as of September 1,

2009, shall not be eligible to participate in the career incentive pay program

established pursuant to said section 108L of said chapter 41 of the General

Laws; and provided further, that any current regular full-time member of a

municipal police department who has begun to accumulate points pursuant

to said section 108L of said chapter 41 of the General Laws as of September

1, 2009 shall be allowed to accumulate the maximum number of points

permissible pursuant to said section 108L of said chapter 41 of the General

Laws .................................................................................................................. $10,000,000

Please Support Education for Police Officers in Massachusetts

Updated On: Jun 23, 2009 (22:09:00)

Please Support Education for Police Officers in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Municipal Police Coalition (MMPC) represents nearly 1,500 front-line police officers in communities throughout greater Boston. Our mission is to protect and serve our citizenry. A large part of that mission is advancing the ability of police officers to better handle the unique and often complicated legal issues and social problems that are encountered on a daily basis. To this end, the MMPC continues to support programs that promote higher education for police officers.

The Quinn Bill is an important component to having a well-trained, educated and responsive police force:
Educated officers are:
·         More advanced in meeting today’s law enforcement challenges
·         More prepared to handle complex situations
·         Better suited to use today’s crime fighting technology
Eliminating Quinn Bill funding would:
·         Add to the already difficult ask of recruiting qualified personnel
·         Replace a largely educated police force with an under-educated, less qualified and disciplined   one
·         Demoralize police officers who are more frequently putting themselves in harm’s way in the increasingly violent defense of the public

The Quinn Bill was enacted in 1970 by the Massachusetts Legislature as a response to a growing demand to reform policing in America. As a result of the ineffective police response to the social unrest of the turbulent 1960’s researchers began to call for better educated police officers. President Johnson’s Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice recommended a high standard of education for police officers. A second Johnson Commission on Campus Unrest stated law enforcement agencies should provide special monetary incentives for those who enter the field of policing or who obtain degrees while so employed as police officers. Thus began the most powerful movement in professionalizing policing in America. The purpose of the Quinn Bill is to encourage police officers to earn degrees in law enforcement and to provide monetary incentives. The Quinn Bill is responsible for professionalizing policing in Massachusetts and allows the municipalities to attract better qualified candidates to your community. The cost of the Quinn Bill is split between the municipality and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Supporting the Quinn Bill ensures a better educated law enforcement officer which enhances service to the public and improves public safety.

MMPC THANKS REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN M. ASHE, 2ND HAMPDEN DISTRICT FOR HIS SUPPORT

Posted On: Jun 18, 2009 (01:00:33)

The Massachusetts Municipal Police Coalition sincerely thanks Representative Brian M. Ashe, 2nd Hampden District for his steadfast support to Massachusetts Police Officers. During a debate that sometimes got nasty, Rep. Ashe had the political courage to stand tall. The members of the MMPC thank Rep. Ashe for his support and courage to stand against the mainstream media.

Pension Reform

Updated On: Jun 18, 2009 (00:57:00)

Please read the attached "Act Providing Responsible Reforms in The Pension System". "Regualr Compensation" still needs to be clarified. It appears that the only item that will be affected will be clothing allowance. We will be paying close attention to this.

Download:

6-10-9CompromiseBill.pdf

MMPC Picket Signs and Bumper Stickers Opposing Detail Regs Now Available

Updated On: Apr 06, 2009 (23:32:00)

Please go to the Photo Gallery to view a copy of the picket signs that the MMPC is providing to all of it's member unions. The MMPC also has bumper stickers that show our opposition to the Governor's Detail Regulations. If you are not a member please contact us and we will get the amount of stickers you request ASAP.

Thank you

The MMPC Executive Board