New state police chief makes promises

Sam Drysdale | State House News Service

NEW STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS Police Commissioner Col. Geoffrey Noble said he would conduct a complete review of the agency’s academy training model following the recent death of recruit Enrique Delgado-Garcia, but did not promise a complete overhaul of the troubled agency’s leadership.

Gov. Maura Healey took Noble’s oath Friday morning at the State House, ending 18 months of interim leadership of the state police after Col. Christopher Mason retires in February 2023.

“The Massachusetts State Police will provide outstanding police service, build and maintain public trust, and enforce the law with fairness, compassion, justice, transparency and accountability,” Noble said. “The trust between our department and the community must be strong and unwavering. This responsibility and trust begins with me. I must first earn your trust, and I am committed to doing everything I can to earn and maintain that trust.”

The department Noble now heads has been in the spotlight several times in recent years. In recent months, State Police made headlines both locally and nationally when a trooper’s crude text messages were read on the witness stand during Karen Read’s high-profile murder trial. A supporter of Karen Read stood outside the State House Friday with a “Free Karen Read” sign as Noble and other state troopers walked in for the ceremony.

Most recently, the agency was in the headlines because of Delgado-Garcia’s death and subsequent allegations of hazing and intense conditions at the training academy.

Noble said Friday that he had not yet been formally briefed on the investigation into the recruit’s death, but that he was aware of the situation and a more detailed briefing was forthcoming.

“We will definitely conduct a full review,” he said when asked about his first action regarding the academy, “and work with Massachusetts State Police personnel.” [the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security]with the governor’s office. And we will make transparent what this review looks like.”

A reporter asked Noble if he planned to replace any of the existing leadership staff. Noble is the first superintendent elected to lead the state police without having previously been a member of the police force. Healey was the first governor to use this allowance from a 2020 police reform law.

“I want to make it clear that I have an extraordinary level of respect for the women and men of the Massachusetts State Police,” Noble said. He added: “Nevertheless, I look forward to working with the management team and the entire staff in the coming weeks and months.”

In his first few months, Noble said his most important task will be “talking to stakeholders,” including those who don’t have a positive opinion of the state police.

A reporter asked Healey about the 18-month search for a new superintendent and why she landed on Noble — who spent 27 years with the New Jersey State Police, most recently as its lieutenant colonel — in light of a recent investigation in New Jersey that uncovered decades-long patterns of discrimination has.

Investigations by New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin found that women and minority service members were passed over for promotions to top positions, as well as reports of racist comments and ignored demands for equal treatment, the New Jersey Monitor reported.

Platkin said the findings “showed deeply troubling behavior and systemic problems,” the monitor said.

“Well, this was the subject of a comprehensive search process involving a distinguished panel on our search committee. Everything has been checked and we have the opportunity to check everything personally and the Lieutenant Governor and I have great confidence in Colonel Nobel and the work he will do. He has an excellent track record of proven leadership, including with the New Jersey State Police, and I know that will carry through here in Massachusetts,” said Healey.

Noble also responded to a question about recent reports out of New Jersey, saying he will “work tirelessly” at the Massachusetts State Police to build a culture “built on equity, inclusion and respect for all, and opportunity for all.” ” all.”

“A healthy organization is an organization whose men and women who serve in that department feel like they belong, feel like they are supported, feel like they are empowered regardless of their background or experience can work in an agency, but once they’re …”In this case, a Massachusetts state trooper, they’ve earned that right,” he said.