Index
Massachusetts Police Reform Law
Summary
In 2020, Massachusetts passed comprehensive police reform that created a mandatory certification system for all police officers and strictly limited the use of force, including banning chokeholds.
Rights & Rules
- 01.All police officers must be certified by the new, independent POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Commission.
- 02.The POST Commission has the power to investigate officers and permanently revoke their certification (decertify them) for misconduct, meaning they can never work as a police officer in MA again.
- 03.Police are explicitly BANNED from using chokeholds or any neck restraints.
- 04.Police are banned from shooting into a fleeing vehicle unless there is an imminent threat of death.
- 05.Police have a legal 'duty to intervene' if they see another officer using excessive force.
Penalties
- 01.Officers who use banned force or fail to intervene face criminal prosecution and automatic decertification by the state.
Verified Citations
Massachusetts Chapter 253 of the Acts of 2020
Source"A law enforcement officer shall not use a chokehold. A law enforcement officer shall not be trained to use a lateral vascular neck restraint, carotid restraint or other action that involves the placement of any part of law enforcement officer's body on or around a person's neck..."