Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission
MA POST Commission
Summary
The Massachusetts POST Commission is a nine-member civilian-majority body created by the landmark 2020 police reform law (Acts of 2020, Ch. 253, codified at M.G.L. Ch. 6E). Three members are appointed by the Governor, three by the Attorney General, and three jointly — the majority must be civilians with no law enforcement background. The Commission has binding decertification authority over all peace officers in the Commonwealth, subpoena power, and statutory access to all LE agency records including BWC footage, dispatch recordings, internal-affairs files, and personnel records. It initiates its own preliminary inquiries into officer-involved injuries and deaths independent of the employing agency.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Mixed (multi-branch) |
|---|---|
| Term length | 5 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | Yes |
| Compel testimony | Yes |
| Records access | Full access |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth
- Citation
- M.G.L. Ch. 6E; Acts of 2020, Ch. 253
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
All law enforcement officers and agencies in Massachusetts