Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Convenes Civil Rights Symposium for 200 Law Enforcement Officers

NORWOOD — On Wednesday, the Healey-Driscoll Administration convened a statewide Civil Rights Symposium for 200 law enforcement officers as part of a steadfast commitment to promoting justice, equity, and civil rights protections for all Massachusetts residents and visitors. The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) in partnership with the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) and the Massachusetts State Police, hosted a one-day educational forum to deepen law enforcement’s understanding of civil rights issues and promote practices for the effective prevention, investigation, and prosecution of hate crimes. 

“The work we are doing through the Civil Rights Symposium is essential to advancing our commitment to civil rights and justice,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “These sessions provide an opportunity for law enforcement, experts, and community leaders to come together, share insights, and tackle the challenges we face in building a more inclusive and equitable society. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is dedicated to supporting initiatives that strengthen Massachusetts’ ability to protect and uphold the rights of all residents. I’m deeply grateful to everyone involved for their ongoing commitment to this vital work.”

The civil rights training brought together legal experts, public safety professionals, community members, and private sector partners to engage in meaningful dialogue, share knowledge gleaned from various areas of expertise, and discuss strategies to advance equity and justice. The day-long agenda included discussions about state and federal hate crime laws, historical injustices and present policing, case studies, community impacts, hate crime investigations, data collection and analysis, and community unrest and division after critical incidents.

“This training helps our officers better understand the true impact of hate crimes on individuals and communities,” said MPTC Executive Director Colonel Rick Rathbun (Ret.). “By engaging with experts and those directly affected, we are reinforcing the importance of a thoughtful, informed response to these sensitive issues. Continued education ensures that our law enforcement is equipped with the right tools to address hate crimes and promote safety and trust in every community.”

“This Civil Rights Symposium provides an important forum for local, state, and federal law enforcement to understand the complex issues of hate incidents, share their experiences, and incorporate best practices into policies and decisions that impact community safety,” said Colonel Geoffrey Noble. “We appreciate the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s steadfast support for a broad range of initiatives focused on this issue, including our Hate Crimes Awareness and Response Team, the Campus Safety and Security Training we delivered last month, as well as a variety of community engagement initiatives focused on education and building trust. We share the commitment of EOPSS and MPTC to do everything we can to end all forms of hate.”

Undersecretary Gina Kwon opened the symposium with welcoming remarks. Throughout the forum, experts emphasized the importance of understanding the intersection between law enforcement practices and civil rights. Dr. Jack McDevitt, an expert in the field of criminal justice, discussed how research and data can guide more effective prevention and policymaking related to hate crimes. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan shared her office’s approach to prosecuting hate crimes and overcoming enforcement challenges, while Sergeant Matthew Owens of the Massachusetts State Police spoke on how civil rights principles should be integrated into everyday policing practices. Additionally, Dr. James Barrett, Director of Clinical Support at the Cambridge Police Department, highlighted the importance of trauma-informed responses in hate crimes investigations and integrating mental health support.

Earlier this month, the administration released preliminary 2024 crime data, revealing continued progress in public safety, with a 4.4% decrease in Part One crimes and a 6.5% drop in total NIBRS offenses across Massachusetts. Key highlights from the 2024 data include an 11.4% decrease in homicides, with 132 reported incidents, well below the five-year average of 146. Robberies fell by 8.6%, aggravated assaults dropped by 5.7%, and motor vehicle thefts saw a sharp decline of 16.1%. Additionally, fraud-related offenses, including identity theft and welfare fraud, experienced double-digit declines.

While the overall number of hate crimes decreased, the data revealed a troubling 20.5% increase in anti-Semitic incidents, making anti-Jewish bias the most reported hate crime in the state for the first time since tracking began in 1991. This shift underscores the need for continued vigilance and action to combat all forms of hate. The report also showed a decrease in anti-transgender bias incidents from 2023 to 2024. The administration remains committed to advancing safety and equality for all communities across Massachusetts, emphasizing the importance of tackling hate in all its forms. Training and education on these issues are crucial to building understanding and fostering a safer, more inclusive environment for everyone.

This symposium builds upon the many initiatives put forward by the administration to ensure Massachusetts can embrace its diversity, live up to its principles, and combat incidents of hate, including:

• Grants to Prevent Hate Crimes and Terror Attacks: In 2024, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded over $16.4 Million in state and federal grant funds to help enhance security for nonprofits that are at high risk of a hate crime or extremist attack, including faith-based organizations, health care providers, cultural venues and other nonprofits. The grant programs are administered by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), which provides ongoing grant reporting and management support to award recipients throughout the life of the grant.  OGR expects to make additional grant funding available later this year to support nonprofit security initiatives.
• State Police Training to Support Positive Campus Culture, Prevent and Respond to Hate: As part of the ongoing commitment to ensure the safety of those studying and working at colleges and universities, the Massachusetts State Police convened 100 campus leaders in July 2024 for a two-day training program, Navigating Through Campus Conflict. Designed in partnership with the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators and Rutgers University Miller Center on Policing and Community Resilience, the comprehensive training addressed the urgent and growing concerns of administrators and public safety officials surrounding intimidation, terroristic threats, harassment, and violence towards students and faculty members.
• Faith-Based Organizations Safety and Security Seminar: In November 2024, the Massachusetts State Police Fusion Center hosted its sixth annual security summit for faith-based organizations at Gillette Stadium, bringing together public safety and security officials with faith leaders to promote safety in houses of worship and other facilities. The next seminar is scheduled for November 18, 2025.
• Hate Crimes Awareness and Response Team (HART): In November 2023, Massachusetts State Police launched HART   to reinforce the statewide response to hate crimes and hate-based incidents.
• Legislative Task Force on Hate Crimes: The Task Force , co-chaired by Secretary Reidy, continues advising the administration on issues relating to the prevalence, deterrence, and prevention of hate crimes.

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