Executive Order  No. 128: Public Safety Council

WHEREAS, the proper coordination of activities of law enforcement agencies within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is of critical importance to the safety and well-being of the citizens thereof; and

WHEREAS, there exists a need for better coordination of said activities and for better communications between and among said agencies and other Federal and local agencies charged with law enforcement functions; and

WHEREAS, such law enforcement agencies should continue to seek to achieve better administrative organization, to improve practices and procedures, to promote efficiency and economy by eliminating duplication, and to improve coordination, cooperation and communications; through sharing knowledge and information and by conducting appropriate studies of law enforcement operations and needs; and

WHEREAS, there exists no single entity whose functions and responsibilities permit or require that it address the specific problem of improving the delivery of all law enforcement services within the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of the public need for a cabinet level executive charged with general overall public safety responsibility, the General Court has established the Executive Office of Public Safety, headed by the Secretary of Public Safety;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Michael S. Dukakis, by virtue of the authority vested in me as supreme executive magistrate, do hereby order as follows:

I. Establishment; Composition

There is hereby established within the Executive Office of Public Safety the Public Safety Council (hereafter the "Council").

A. The Council shall be composed of the following persons or their first level designees:

• Secretary of Public Safety--Chairperson
• Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard
• Commissioner, Department of Public Safety
• Commissioner, Metropolitan District Commission
• Registrar of Motor Vehicles
• Director, Massachusetts Civil Defense Agency
• Director, Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council
• Director, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
• Director of Law Enforcement, Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
• Commissioner, Department of Public Works
• Superintendent of State Buildings
• Director, Division of Marine and Recreational Vehicles

B. The Secretary of Public Safety (hereafter the "Secretary") may from time to time appoint a vice-chairperson, a secretary or recorder, and such other officers as he shall think proper; provided, however, that the designee, if any, of the Secretary shall act as chairperson in his absence.

II. Functions and Responsibilities of the Chairperson

A. The Chairperson, or his designee, shall preside at the meetings of the Council and shall be its official spokes- person.

B. The Chairperson shall coordinate the activities of the Council with local and federal enforcement agencies, and may convene conferences, briefings and other forums for such purposes.

C. The Chairperson shall, from time to time, brief the Governor on the activities of the Council.

D. The Chairperson shall perform such other functions as are ordinarily performed by chairpersons charged with the responsibility for leading an organization in the performance of its mission.

III. Mission and Responsibilities of the Council

A. The mission of the Council is to take necessary steps to improve the delivery of law enforcement services within the Commonwealth.

B. The Council shall be responsible to the Secretary in developing policies, plans and procedures to be applicable to all participating agencies or other agencies involved in the delivery of services affecting public safety.

C. The Council shall make recommendations to the Governor on actions he may properly take, with the assistance of the Secretary, to help improve the operations of law enforcement agencies; with particular emphasis on improved coordination, training, communication, cooperation, record keeping and reporting procedures; and elimination of unnecessary duplication of effort.

D. The Council shall assist the Secretary in coordinating and implementing plans for the protection of the people in times of any crises; particularly those affecting large areas of the Commonwealth, which may not come within the responsibility of any one Council member's agency or department.

E. The Council shall meet at least once monthly or at such other times as the Chairperson may think proper. Minutes of Council meetings shall be kept, and, where appropriate, shall be distributed to the members and to the Governor.

F. To accomplish its mission, the Council may seek funds from any proper source to provide for supplies and up to two staff persons; provided, however, that no such funds shall be sought without the knowledge and specific approval of the Governor. No request for authority to seek funds shall be considered by the Governor unless the request is accompanied by documentary evidence which demonstrates a clear need for funding.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston this 2nd day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and seventy six, and of the Independence of the United States the two hundredth.

MICHAEL S. DUKAKIS
Governor
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

PAUL GUZZI
Secretary of the Commonwealth