Section 13. (a) A uniformed member of the state police who has served for at least 1 year and against whom charges have been preferred shall be tried by a board to be appointed by the colonel or, at the request of the officer, a board consisting of the colonel. A person aggrieved by the finding of the trial board under this subsection may appeal the decision of the trial board under sections 41 to 45, inclusive, of chapter 31. A uniformed officer of the state police who has been dismissed from the state police force after a trial under this subsection, or who resigns while charges to be tried by a trial board are pending against the uniformed officer, shall not be reinstated by the colonel.

Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws ch. 22C sec. 13

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the colonel may administratively suspend without pay a uniformed member who has served for at least 1 year if: (i) the uniformed member had a criminal complaint or indictment issued against them; (ii) the department has referred the uniformed member to a prosecutorial agency for review for prosecution; or (iii) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the uniformed member has engaged in misconduct in the performance of the uniformed member’s duties that violates the public trust.

Prior to such administrative suspension, the department shall provide the uniformed member notice of, and the underlying factual basis for, the administrative suspension. After such notice, the colonel or the colonel’s designee shall hold a departmental hearing at which the uniformed member shall have an opportunity to respond to the allegations. Following the departmental hearing and upon a finding that there are reasonable grounds for such administrative suspension without pay, the colonel may administratively suspend without pay such uniformed member immediately. The administrative suspension without pay shall not be appealable under sections 41 to 45, inclusive, of chapter 31; provided, however, that the administrative suspension without pay may be appealed as provided in section 43.

A uniformed member who is administratively suspended without pay pursuant to this section may seek a review by the colonel or the colonel’s designee of the administrative suspension without pay after 1 year from the date of the administrative suspension and every year thereafter, or sooner if the uniformed member can demonstrate a material change in circumstances. The decision of the colonel or the colonel’s designee after such review may be appealed under said sections 41 to 45, inclusive, of said chapter 31.

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the colonel may impose on a uniformed member who has served at least 1 year any permanent discipline that does not involve a suspension of pay, loss of accrued vacation time, loss of rank or seniority or termination without provision for a trial by a trial board under said subsection (a). Prior to imposing such discipline, the department shall provide the uniformed member notice of, and the underlying factual basis for, the discipline. After such notice, the colonel or the colonel’s designee shall hold a departmental hearing at which the uniformed member shall have an opportunity to respond to the allegations. Following the departmental hearing and upon a finding that there are reasonable grounds for discipline, the colonel may impose such discipline immediately.

An order imposing discipline pursuant to this subsection shall not be appealable under sections 41 to 45, inclusive, of chapter 31; provided, however, that such order may be appealed as provided in section 43.

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