Massachusetts State Police Scandal: Looking for Serpico

 

 Massachusetts State Police:Looking for Serpico

Reforms urgent as state police scandal deepens (Editorial)

By The Republican Editorials

The scandal engulfing the Massachusetts State Police continues to widen, appalling citizens who have only begun to realize the depth of the problems.

The probe expanded to criminal charges with payroll director Denise Ezekiel accused of using her position to steal more than $23,000 in travel and reimbursement funds. Suspended since November, Ezekiel is on indefinite leave and could face further discipline once the investigation is completed.

State Police payroll director on unpaid leave, under investigation for theft

Denise Ezekiel, the civilian head of the agency's payroll department, was placed on leave on November 1.

Ezekiel's guilt or innocence will be determined by the legal process. Even so, Massachusetts taxpayers have a right to be angry and stunned as the state police department repeatedly lands in the news for allegations of institutional abuse.

How could it get to this point? Where were the watchdogs and the checks and balances? These are fair questions as State Police Colonel Kerry Gilpin begins a cleanup process with reforms announced in early April.

The offices of Governor Charlie Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey are involved with sorting out impact and depth of the scandal. Maybe they should call in 82-year-old Frank Serpico, whose whistleblowing exposed corruption within the New York Police Department in the 1960s and led to massive reform.

Government officials and Col. Gilpin would prefer to move forward and guarantee that the unseemly activity within the department, brought to light by a scandal over overtime pay and the alleged mishandling of a case involving the arrest of a judge's daughter, can never happen again.

That goal will compete for attention with disposition of cases already brought to light. Colonel Gilpin has the difficult job of balancing reform on the one hand with justice on the other. She must deal with the future and the past at the same time.

What happens with Ezekiel's case remains to be seen, and a presumption of innocence must be attached to these proceedings. Taxpayers cannot be blamed for wondering what hammer will fall next, though.

At a time in our country where law enforcement is asking for the public support it needs to do its job to the fullest, the Massachusetts State Police have badly, badly bruised itself and it will take years to recover. Skeptics might say the agency never will.

It is important to remember the many good and honest police officers within the department. They suffer most of all because they know the department's reputation for corruption spills onto even its most dedicated, honorable employees.

The need for reform is urgent and must be done transparently if citizens are to regain a measure of confidence in their state police. Justice must also be served whenever applicable. These are difficult times for the Massachusetts State Police, with no indication the picture will brighten anytime soon.