Issue Position: Public Safety

Issue Position

Pat supports the "10 Point Plan" proposed by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus including the following state level priorities:

Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST): Resolve to provide 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, H2146; Reported favorably now with Rules Committee; Establishes a statewide POST system to certify police officers and enable de-certification for misconduct and abuse.

Civil Service Exam Review and Oversight: An Act to Reform Civil Service Exams, H2292; Currently sent to study, but could be added to Outside Section of the Budget; Establishes an Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity to establish guidelines and review for diversity plans for all state agencies, Establishes a peace officer exam advisory board to review examinations for appointment and promotion of peace officers.

Commission on Structural Racism: An Act establishing a special commission on structural racism, H1440, Currently sent to study, but could be added to Outside Section of the Budget; Establishes a commission to study how the systemic presence of institutional racism has created a culture of structural racial inequality which has exacerbated disproportionate minority contact with the criminal justice system in Massachusetts.

Adopt clear statutory limits on police use of force, including choke-holds and other tactics known to have deadly consequences. Require independent investigation of officer-related deaths. Require data collection and reporting on race, regarding all arrests and police use of force by every department.
Other public safety issues:

Pat supports firefighters right to bargain over safe staffing policies.

Pat supports drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants.

Pat opposes changes to binding arbitration that could lead to the weakening of the dispute resolution process for firefighters, police, and MBTA.

Seguridad Pública
Pat apoya a los bomberos el derecho de negociar sobre políticas de personal seguro.

Pat admite licencias de conducir para inmigrantes indocumentados.

Pat se opone a los cambios en el arbitraje vinculante que podrían conducir al debilitamiento del proceso de resolución de disputas para los bomberos, la policía y la MBTA.

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