Commissioner of Probation’s Interstate Compact Unit Is Recognized by State Police

Left to right: Kristina Gaudet, Maritza Davila, Jennifer Mattson, Michelle Martino, and Luis Carrasquillo. Holding plaque in the center is Donna Reed, Interstate Compact Coordinator. Missing from photo is Edward McDermott, Esq., Deputy Compact Administrator.

Edward McDermott, Deputy Compact Administrator, and the seven-member staff of the Interstate Compact Unit in the Office of the Commissioner of Probation (OCP), were recently honored by the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS) for arranging the return of absconded violent offenders to the Commonwealth to face justice.

McDermott said of the award: “It was a great honor to be recognized by VFAS. It is a pleasure to work with the State Police.”

Donna Reed, Interstate Compact Coordinator, accepted a plaque from the State Police on behalf of the Commissioner of Probation at a recent event hosted by the State Police. This award celebrates a six-year partnership in which both agencies work together to locate, apprehend and return offenders back to Massachusetts courts to face justice.

Interstate Unit fields calls from courts and law enforcement agencies that have apprehended probation violators/absconders in other states. One of the Compact’s functions is to coordinate the return of offenders back to Massachusetts. The State Police are dispatched to escort the violent offenders back from other states. Less violent offenders are returned to the state via private transportation vendors.

State Police Captain Richard Prior said of the Interstate Unit: “The working relationship between VFAS and OCP has been instrumental to the success of VFAS for several years. Over the years, having fostered this partnership, hundreds of violent fugitives have subsequently been apprehended.”

Prior added, “In 2008, VFAS had over 100 open cases on violent probationers that have fled Massachusetts jurisdiction, many of these individuals have been located and are currently incarcerated pending extradition back to Massachusetts, while 27 individuals have been returned this year alone. These offenders include some of the state’s most wanted and violent offenders.”

Commenting further, Prior said, “In a collaborative effort, VFAS and OCP have implemented initiatives with various District Attorney offices with local police departments which are currently reshaping the protocol for the handling of fleeing fugitives to fully maximize efficiency. These milestones would not easily be accomplished without the hard work and dedication of the members of the OCP-Interstate Compact Unit.”