Despite the broad scope of the Department's duties, many people are unaware of how many services the State Police perform. This page serves as an introduction to the department and our many functions and introduces the reader to our core missions and agency priorities which include:
- Partnerships with Federal, State and Local Public Safety
- Highway Safety through Enforcement and Education
- Forensic Science Support and Information Technology
- Homeland Security and Criminal Intelligence Support
- Protection of Civil Rights
- Violent Crime Investigation and Suppression
- Critical Incident Management Support
- Professional Management
- Training
- Statewide Communications and E-9-1-1 Support
History
The Massachusetts State Police was created in 1865, making it the oldest statewide law enforcement agency in the nation. The State Police, known at that time as the "State Constabulary" and later as the "State Detective Force" and the "District Police", remained in relative obscurity until 1921 when the uniformed branch of the "State Police Patrol" was organized. Prior to 1921, the State Police was primarily used to enforce certain regulatory laws such as liquor laws and child labor laws. The "State Police Patrol" began with a group of 50 men whose duties were to police the rural communities of the Commonwealth. The first State Police class graduated on September 1, 1921.
Under Chapter 412 of the Acts of 1991, the "Police Consolidation Act", the State Police underwent a major restructuring which involved the merging of the State Police within the old Department of Public Safety with the Metropolitan Police, Registry Police and Capitol Police. The State Police Academy was moved from Framingham to the former site of the Pioneer Valley academy in New Braintree and the State Police General Headquarters moved from 1010 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston to the site of the Framingham Academy. The Act created a new "Department of State Police" which is part of the Executive Office of Public Safety.
Although having gone through a period of more than 100 years of growth and adaptation to the changing needs and values of our society, the State Police has retained its basic traditions, identity and core values. The training is still highly demanding and one of the most difficult regimens in the country involving several hundreds of hours in military drills, physical training, firearms training, legal training, patrol procedures as well as many other subjects. The organization and structure is still paramilitary and military style discipline and deportment is still an essential part of the fabric of the State Police. The core values of the State Police still demand total devotion to duty and the highest ethical behavior on and off duty.
The Department is made up of the Office of the Superintendent/ Deputy Superintendent and four divisions:
- Division of Field Services
- Division of Investigative Services
- Division of Administrative Services
- Division of Standards and Training
Department and Division Mission and Goals
DEPARTMENT MISSION:
As the principle statewide law enforcement agency in the Commonwealth, the Massachusetts State Police, in partnership with local communities, shall provide for the public safety by providing quality policing directed at achieving safer roadways and reducing crime through investigations, education and patrol services and by providing leadership and resources during natural disasters, civil disorders and critical incidents.
DEPARTMENT GOALS:
- To ensure maximum safety for motorists using the State's roadways.
- To effectively prevent, deter, and investigate criminal activity.
- To maintain a portfolio of specialized services in support of the needs of the Department's constituents for the purposes of preventing and investigating serious crime.
- To maximize productive capabilities within the organization.
- To be nationally recognized among law enforcement agencies for professionalism and ethical conduct.
- To provide leadership to the municipalities of the Commonwealth during disasters, civil disorders and critical incidents.
DEPARTMENT VALUES:
The value statements of the Massachusetts State Police are:
1) Maintenance of the highest standard of integrity and ethics;
2) Excellence and teamwork in the performance of duty;
3) Protection of Constitutional Rights;
4) Problem solving for continuous improvement;
5) Continuous planning for the future; and
6) Performing public service and law enforcement tasks so as to provide leadership to the police profession.
MISSION OF THE OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT/ DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT:
The mission of the Office of the Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent is to provide leadership and management to the Department by planning, organizing and directing its operations and resources in order to achieve its mission and to assist the Governor by providing expertise, information and recommendations on strategic and tactical matters related to public safety.
MISSION OF THE DIVISION OF FIELD SERVICES
The mission of the Division of Field Services is to provide uniformed patrol service to the citizens of Massachusetts in order to reduce motor vehicle accidents, to ensure the safe and expeditious flow of traffic and to deter, interdict, apprehend and prosecute those engaged in criminal activity and to assist municipal law enforcement agencies in effectively responding to large scale public safety emergencies or incidents through the utilization of specialized and tactical resources.
MISSION OF THE DIVISION OF INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES
The mission of the Division of Investigative Services is to reduce criminal activity in the Commonwealth in cooperation with local and federal law enforcement agencies by: - Gathering, analyzing and reporting on the type, manner and location of criminal activity within the state;
- Monitoring the activities and associations of individuals engaging in organized crime;
- Investigating criminal acts for the purpose of identifying, apprehending and prosecuting perpetrators;
- Apprehending fugitives from justice;
- Providing technical resources and expertise in order to effectively maximize the use of forensic evidence in court.
MISSION OF THE DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
The mission of the Division of Administrative Services is to provide the material resources and the logistical support necessary for the Department to fulfill its mission. This shall be accomplished through the preparation of a complete and relevant budget, the procurement and maintenance of necessary equipment and facilities and by the provision of services for supporting the physical, financial and morale needs of Department personnel.
MISSION OF THE DIVISION OF STANDARDS AND TRAINING
The mission of the Division of Standards and Training is to ensure the quality of the service provided by the Massachusetts State Police by ensuring the integrity and competence of its operations. It shall accomplish this through the investigation and prosecution of misconduct, through the regular inspection of its operations and facilities and by providing training and education to its members. The Division shall also work cooperatively with local and federal law enforcement agencies as well as the general public by providing training and education in public safety and law enforcement related matters.