Sent: Friday, July 17, 2020 8:27 AM To: Testimony HWM Judiciary (HOU) Cc: ryno; Jones, Bradley - Rep. (HOU); Michlewitz, Aaron - Rep. (HWM) Subject: Police Reform Bill Dear MA State Representatives, I am writing to you today as the wife of a career well educated Law Enforcement Officer who has served the public for 33 years as a dedicated member of the Boston Police serving many ranks. To say I am saddened and angry by the severe scrutiny and quite frankly lack of support for Massachusetts Law Enforcement Officers is an understatement. Over the last several months my family has witnessed MA Police Officers being pelleted with bottles of urine and other waste, police cars being lit on fire, and vulgarities being screamed at them by strangers who know nothing about the person who wears the uniform. All the while the Officers are holding the line not wearing any riot gear and exercising great patience. These Officers are able do this because it’s how they were trained. In our house, we don’t hear many stories about what happens at work because the Dad of two great kids and my husband usual leaves his job it at the front door when he enters our home. Every work day I’ve watched him put on his uniform and before he walks out the door he gives me and the kids a hug and I love you. Once the door closes, I often imagine who is he going to protect, help and what tragic situation will he witness today. I never doubt that he will respond to the call and give nothing but his very best. Because you see one thing about my husband and his colleagues is they have been trained so well to handle any situation and most important respect anyone they encounter. The majority of men and women who wear that badge understand the importance of the oath they took. They treat every citizen equal and fair. I completely understand the outrage from the tragedy that occurred in Minneapolis but we are not that state. We are Massachusetts! Our Police Officers are the very best of the best. If you look at the Boston Police, we have the first black Police Commissioner in the history of the City. He is a great well respected leader who pushes his department to be better everyday. Their Community Policing model is admired by many. The BPD has great established relationships with Community Leaders and residents. Most parts of the City heavily depend on the police to be patrolling their areas so they can put their heads on the pillow knowing their families are safe. The positive impact that BPD Officers have with kids throughout the City is amazing. I’ve seen it first hand through the many non profit groups I volunteer at. Shop with a Cop, BPD National Night Out, Cook Outs, Ice Cream Truck, and sometimes just a patrol car stopping in the neighborhood to share a hello and a small conversation with the kids. These are some of the things departments are doing to create that trust with their Communities. Now in a blink of eye after many years of hard work that trust has been lost. Primarily because of the media and the lack of support for the MA Police Departments. There is no doubt MA Police Departments can always find way to improve themselves and do better. In order to achieve this, you must allow them a seat at the table for them to be able to listen, learn and share their experiences as well. Conflict is never resolved and nothing is accomplished by lack of communication. Like I stated at the beginning of my testimony when my husband leaves for work, says his goodbyes and the door closes him and I know both know it might be for the last time. We both know that unspoken truth that if something happens our family will always be protected financially. We both know that when he has to answer that call to put himself between a domestic partner trying to murder his/her spouse with a knife, or someone on the street pointing a gun at innocent people and/or my husband, or a terrorist holding a bomb attempting to blow up a marathon...we both know that if my husband has to shoot his gun or use the take down techniques he learned by the tremendous amount training he’s received...we both know he and our family will be protected from liability from the municipality in which he is employed. Let me tell you if these Officers now have to pause and question their instincts their lives and the lives of those they protect will be in a far more dangerous situation. I am asking you today to please protect the brave men and women of Law Enforcement by not stripping them of their qualified immunity. This is not answer. I am also asking for you the MA Representatives to stand up and support all sides. For some reason most political leaders are afraid to say hey, you know what...overall LEO’s in this state are doing a pretty good job. As a kid who grew up in Charlestown, I am actually stunned that we have reached this point. I grew up, like many kids in Boston, involved with many youth programs which led me to interact with other kids for all over the city. It was awesome! Most became my friends. We shared our background and stories about the many struggles we had faced. We all understood one another a lot better and respected each other’s opinions. This was 32 years ago. I’ve carried that teenage experience, as I’m sure many others kids did, my entire life. It is my belief that the MA community relationships has only improved since then. I’m not sure how we got to where we are today expressing such distain for Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth. Sure we’ve had ups and downs along the way but I’ve always felt we were a step ahead the rest of the Country. Thank you for the taking the time to read my testimony. I completely understand the taunting task you have before you and I truly hope a fair outcome will prevail. Take Care, Kimberly Mahoney Sent from my iPhoneFrom: Justin du coeur <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, July 17, 2020 8:26 AM To: Testimony HWM Judiciary (HOU) Subject: Regarding the Reform, Shift + Build Act I would like to express my support for this bill, S.2820, and urge the State House to pass it largely in its current form. Police reform is necessary at all levels -- even us middle-class, middle- aged white voters can see that by this point. No, the situation in MA isn't as horrifying as it is in some places, but that's a terribly low bar: we can, and should, do much better. There is a lot in the Senate bill that moves in the right directions: an independent review board, tightening the use-of-force standards, downplaying the use of police in schools. Perhaps above all, limiting qualified immunity like this should be a matter of common sense, and it is appalling that that isn't *already* in state law. This needs to happen, and it needs to happen now. I urge the House to avoid the temptation to water the bill down, and also to avoid nitpicking it to death in the name of improvements. While I believe that we can do yet more going forward, it's important to begin making smart, measured progress. Please support this bill, and get it passed in this legislative session. Sincerely, Mark Waks 617-718-1800 Somerville, MA From: Nancy Bettinger <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, July 17, 2020 8:26 AM To: Testimony HWM Judiciary (HOU) Cc: Meschino, Joan - Rep. (HOU); Murphy, James - Rep. (HOU) Subject: Racial Justice Legislation Dear Chairs Cronin and Michlewitz and Members of the Ways and Means and Judiciary Committees, The League of Women Voters advocates against systemic racism in the justice system and supports preventing excessive force and brutality by law enforcement. We urge you to support legislation that includes the protections proposed by the following bills: HD.5128, An Act Relative to Saving Black Lives and Transforming Public Safety, filed by State Representative Liz Miranda, which bans chokeholds, no knock warrants, tear gas, and hiring abusive officers; creates a duty to intervene and to de-escalate and requires maintaining public records of officer misconduct. H.3277 An Act to Secure Civil Rights through the Courts of the Commonwealth, filed by State Representative Michael Day, which ends the practice of qualified immunity, making it possible for police officers to be personally liable if they are found to have violated a person’s civil rights. It is time at last to ensure that all citizens of the Commonwealth benefit from basic health, safety and civil rights protections. Sincerely, Nancy Bettinger Hingham League of Women Voters Legislative Envoy From: Crista <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, July 17, 2020 8:25 AM To: Testimony HWM Judiciary (HOU) Subject: Acceptance of Written Testimony Only Dear Senator Julian Cyr, My name is Jane Lesanto and I live at 609 Great Neck Road South, Mashpee, MA. As your constituent, I write to you today to express staunch opposition to S.2820, a piece of hastily-thrown-together legislation that will hamper law enforcement efforts across the Commonwealth. It robs police officers of the same Constitutional Rights extended to citizens across the nation.