Today, the Massachusetts State Police announced Colonel Geoffrey Noble’s decision to accept the Trial Board’s recommendation to terminate Michael Proctor’s status as Trooper.
The Trial Board found Proctor guilty on the two charges brought forward throughout the proceeding:
- Article 5.8 Unsatisfactory Performance
- Article 5.10 Alcoholic Beverages
Colonel Noble commented on today’s outcome as follows:
“Our mission to deliver the highest level of police services depends on the public’s trust in our professionalism and integrity. It is incumbent upon me, as well as every member of this Department, to hold one another accountable when any member compromises our mission by failing to uphold our values.
“As Superintendent, my role demands that I do what is in the best interest of the Department. My decision to terminate Mr. Proctor follows a thorough, fair, and impartial process. I have weighed the nature of the offenses, their impact on our investigative integrity, and the importance of safeguarding the reputations of our dedicated women and men in the State Police. This decision reflects our unwavering commitment to upholding our values, enhancing public trust and ensuring the highest standards of service and accountability.
“Finally, recognizing the ways in which this process has affected the family of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, I would also like to renew our condolences to them.”
As previously announced, the department relieved Trooper Proctor of duty on July 1, 2024, rendering him ineligible to work (though he would be paid for up to five days until the duty status hearing, as per the department’s Rules & Regulations and the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the State Police Association of Massachusetts).
Simultaneously, the department transferred Trooper Proctor from the Detective Unit to the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, effective on Sunday, July 7, 2024, the first available day after the required five-day notice period for any change of assignment (e.g., shift, functional role, etc.). He was administratively assigned to Troop H in field services, but he remained ineligible for employment.
Proctor was the main investigator in the Karen Read case and became well-known for his text message chain in which he claimed, “She’s a whack job c***, yes she’s a babe, weird Fall River accent though, no ass.” He also admitted to texting his sister, expressing his wish that Read would commit suicide.
Furthermore, on July 19, 2022, Trooper Proctor ingested alcohol while on duty, although not while performing his duties, and while acting under specific directives from a supervisory member or proper authority. The incident happened when Trooper Proctor drank alcohol while eating supper on duty and then drove his department-issued vehicle.
