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82-630: The mission of the Office of Law Enforcement, more commonly known as the Massachusetts Environmental Police, is to protect the environment and natural resources of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through enforcement, education, and public outreach. The Office is further charged with protecting the health, safety, and individual rights of the public and preserving our environment for future generations. The Massachusetts Environmental Police

164-478: A court in Northampton, March, 1763 John Worthington Esq. Attorney for our sovereign lord the king, in this behalf, here instantly complains and gives this court to understand and be informed, that Azariah Selden of Hadley, in the county of Hampshire, yeoman, on the 8th day of March current, did at said Northampton, wittingly and willingly, with force and arms, kill one wild deer, and then and there had in his possession

246-557: A group's particular needs. The Bureau is also responsible for the investigation of all motorboat and recreational vehicle accidents that cause substantial property damage, serious injuries, or fatalities. The Environmental Crimes Bureau is part of a unique interagency investigative organization called the "Environmental Crimes Strike Force". Under the direction of the Attorney General and the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs,

328-486: A long history of protecting its natural resources. Some of the earliest hunting and fishing laws date back to 1627 when the Colony of New Plymouth created a law that declared hunting, fowling, and fishing shall be free. The Massachusetts Bay Colony also declared hunting and fishing to be free in 1641. "Every inhabitant who is an house-holder shall have free fishing and fowling in any great ponds, bays, coves, and rivers so far as

410-408: A metallic badge bearing the seal of the commonwealth and the words "fish and game warden" or "deputy fish and game warden", as the case may be. The director, with the approval of the governor, may in writing authorize any warden to have in his possession and carry a revolver, club, billy, handcuffs and twisters, or such other weapon or article required in the performance of his official duty". In 1933,

492-1173: A motor vehicle enforcement unit, with a very large amount of freedom. The units are part of each troop barracks, out of A, B, C, D and H troop headquarters. The units do not take any mandatory calls, but rather respond to calls using discretion. Duties include routine patrol of high crime areas in inner cities, routine patrol of major highways, major traffic enforcement, routine plain-clothes foot or vehicle patrol, bicycle patrol, undercover missions with local police departments, and major traffic accident response. CAT troopers are also responsible for dignitary escorts, funeral prisoner escorts, attending community meetings, business seizures, school programs, static vehicle displays at community events, security at high-risk trials, security at parades, and many other various special missions. Also, during winter storms when roads are hazardous, CAT troopers perform normal barracks patrols in order to assist various troop barracks. The Special Projects Team (SPT) team utilizes counter-insurgency (COIN) methodology to detect, disrupt, degrade and dismantle gang activity in Springfield . The team

574-506: A new law was passed which authorized that every town and city can appoint a fish and game warden with a salary not exceeding fifty dollars. The town wardens were given the same powers as the commission's deputies and were paid by the town. In 1919, the Board of Commissioners on Fisheries and Game was abolished and the Department of Conservation (DOC) was first established. With the creation of

656-616: A permit was questioned. The Attorney General, Clarence A. Barnes, ruled in favor of the Division of Fisheries and Game. "Accordingly, I advise you that the officers of the Division of Fisheries and Game, referred to in G.L (Ter. Ed.) c. 131 S 18 as amended, have the power and duty of enforcing the game laws on the public lands, including those of the Quabbin Reservoir under the control of the Metropolitan District commission, and have

738-435: A special assignment weapon. During the 1980s, the .357 Magnum Smith & Wesson Model 65 was issued to the troopers. Different weapons were issued for off-duty and special assignments. Prior to 1986, they were issued two Smith & Wesson Model 65 revolvers, one with a 4 inch barrel for on duty wear, and one with a 3 inch barrel for off duty wear, they were required to wear a 3 inch barreled revolver even if they were at

820-532: A vessel in Cape Cod Bay that did not pay its duty. "It is enacted by the Court that if any person or person that shall at any time hereafter ship or load on board any fish, caught at Cape Cod but such as he or they shall give an account of to the water bailiff: All such fish shall be forfeited to the colony's use. The water bailiff is hereby empowered to make seizure of all such fish as shall at any time become forfeit and

902-510: A wolf with hounds. Many colonists hunted wolves because forty schillings was a sizeable bounty in 1640. The 1640 bounty was equivalent to 27 days of a laborer's pay. "Early Massachusetts laws encouraged residents to keep dogs, such as mastiffs and greyhounds, to use in hunting wolves and authorized town governments to use public funds to purchase and keep wolf-hunting dogs. Towns were also required to set out and bait specific numbers of wolf traps. Any town that neglected its obligation to trap wolves

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984-427: Is an on-call team composed of about 500 troopers from various barracks and special units who carry specialized equipment in their cruisers at all times to allow for rapid mobilization. All new troopers (within the last 3 Academy classes) are required to be a part of the unit. All other troopers can volunteer for the it. Its primary purpose is deployment for crowd control, public disturbances, and other major incidents at

1066-420: Is as listed: Promotion to the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain is based on varying combinations of years of service, promotional exam score, and/or performance on oral examination boards. The ranks of Detective Lieutenant and Detective Captain are appointed; an individual must already have attained the rank of Lieutenant prior to being appointed to the rank of Detective Lieutenant and must have attained

1148-636: Is led by interim Colonel Christopher Mason, who was formerly the Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police until 2023. He replaced Colonel Shaun Santos who was appointed in 2020 and resigned in 2024. The agency is under the supervision and control of the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs , who is appointed by the Governor. The current Secretary of EOEEA is Rebecca Tepper. Massachusetts has had

1230-739: Is tasked with apprehending the commonwealth's most violent and elusive fugitives . The unit works with various local and federal agencies and is part of numerous task forces. The Gang Unit is a statewide specialty unit established to: suppress criminal gang activity, investigate gang related crimes, and gather intelligence on known and suspected gang members. Gang Unit duties include street-level narcotics enforcement, weapons enforcement, criminal investigation, and special operations. The Gang Unit assists local cities and towns by conducting undercover narcotics operations and by providing additional officers to patrols dedicated to combating gang activity in high crime areas. In addition to these activities,

1312-613: Is the New Braintree Emergency Dispatch Center, which is the PSAP (Public Safety Access Point) for police, fire and emergency medical services for the towns of New Braintree, Hardwick, Petersham, West Brookfield, North Brookfield, Brookfield, East Brookfield, Brimfield, Holland and Wales. It is co-located with the State Police Academy. Troop C Barracks are located in: Troop "D" includes the southeastern section of

1394-713: Is the captain in charge of the Detective Bureau, and in Boston, it is the commander of the Homicide Unit. The various district attorneys' offices investigate all other homicides in any other cities or towns. The detective units also investigate many other major crimes and serious incidents. The detective unit in the Attorney General's office is composed of the drug unit, the computer crimes unit, and various other specialized investigative squads. The unit investigates everything from white-collar crime to drug distribution. The VFAS

1476-544: Is to give account thereof to the Treasurer or such as shall be appointed by the magistrates or any four of them to take the said account." In 1673, a law passed which said that all profits from the Cape Cod fishery would be used to fund a public school. In 1684, the taking of mackerel ashore with seines or nets was prohibited under the forfeiture of the seines nets vessels and boats employed. The forfeitures were to be divided between

1558-700: Is to improve the quality of life of all citizens adversely affected by gang activity. Specially trained Massachusetts State Police detectives have functioned as State Fire Marshal investigators for more than fifty years. At present, the Fire & Explosion Investigative Section (F&EIS) consists of thirty-eight full-time members who make up the Fire Investigations and Hazardous Devices ( Bomb Squad ) units. F&EIS also consists of eight bomb techs, five bomb dogs and five accelerant detector dogs . Each unit has its own self-contained command and control structure and

1640-454: Is utilizing a method termed "Counter Criminal Continuum Policing" or C3 Policing . It is composed of a lieutenant and six troopers. This section provides reconstruction services to local and state police agencies for collisions involving fatalities or serious bodily injuries. Collision reconstruction specialists are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with no charge to the requesting agency. The section responds to calls for assistance in

1722-598: The Charles River , Mystic River , and in the Boston Harbor Islands National Park . It also provides a statewide response facility, using road transportable vessels. The motorcycle unit is responsible for dignitary escorts, funeral escorts, prisoner escorts, and many other types of special missions. The MSP Public Order Platoon, or POP Team, was previously known as the Mobile Field Force. It

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1804-761: The Smith & Wesson M&P pistol in .45 ACP . As of 2023, the MSP is replacing the .45 ACP handguns with the SIG Sauer P320 chambered in 9mm. The P320 comes equipped with a Romeo1 red-dot optic and a Night Stick 550XL flashlight attached. The P320 is also set on the X-Series frame. The history of the agency is preserved at the Massachusetts State Police Museum and Learning Center in Whitinsville . The museum

1886-406: The "Truck Team," this unit has many duties and responsibilities. These duties include roadside inspection of commercial vehicles, insuring the safety of hazardous substances in transport, operating weigh stations, local commercial vehicle enforcement, investigating commercial vehicle crashes, investigations, and operating the regional commercial vehicle academy. The State Police Air Wing has provided

1968-452: The Commonwealth and its network of first responders with airborne support for over three decades. It currently has a fleet of four turbine helicopters and one fixed wing aircraft. It is the largest and most comprehensive full-time public safety aviation unit in New England . Aircrews stand ready to respond from three strategically located Air Bases within the state 365 days a year. Currently,

2050-408: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massachusetts State Police The Massachusetts State Police ( MSP ) is an agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ' Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, responsible for law enforcement and vehicle regulation across the state. As of 2024, it has 2,330 sworn troopers and 611 civilian support staff for a total of 2,941 personnel, making it

2132-543: The Commonwealth. Our boating safety training course, called "Boat Massachusetts", addresses fundamental safety concepts and emphasizes the operator's legal and ethical responsibilities. It targets the boating novice, especially young boaters (12 through 15 years of age), who are required by state law to complete such a course in order to operate a motorboat without adult supervision. Additionally, safety and legal demonstrations are offered to groups of boaters, snowmobile riders, and off-highway vehicle users, with programs tailored to

2214-473: The Department of Conservation all of the states fish and game laws were now enforced by the Division of Fisheries and Game. In 1929, the Bureau of Marine Fisheries was established within the Division of Fisheries and Game. The new legislation also required wardens and deputies to wear a metallic badge when on duty and with authorization to carry a weapon. "The wardens and deputies, when on duty, shall wear and display

2296-430: The Department of Conservation changed its name to the Department of Natural Resources. The Division of Law Enforcement was also given the authority to enforce laws relating to marine fisheries, inland fisheries, game, forests, parks, fire, and dogs. In 1964, the law enforcement responsibilities of the coastal warden service and the conservation officer were combined. The new name of the coastal warden and conservation officer

2378-400: The Division of Marine Fisheries. "There shall be in the division a bureau of law enforcement, under the charge of a chief conservation officer. All conservation officers, deputy conservation officers and fish and game wardens of the division shall be assigned to duty in said bureau". In 1945, the authority of officers to enforce game laws on public land including the Quabbin Reservoir without

2460-570: The Division's Registration and Titling Bureau on investigations involving disputed motorboat titles and registrations. Through cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, the Marine Theft Bureau recovers substantial sales and excise tax revenue to the Commonwealth each year. The Boat, Off-Highway Vehicle, and Snowmobile Registration Bureau is responsible for registering motorboats, snowmobiles, and recreation vehicles in

2542-504: The Environmental Police, including allowing officers to split shifts so they could work overtime details in the middle of the day, allowing officers to use paid time off (sick days and vacation time) to trigger overtime payments for regular work, and not accounting for the time it takes employees to travel between work locations. The agency was also criticized for patronage hires and for removing GPS tracking devices from vehicles at

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2624-453: The Gang Unit also provides local police departments with personnel, intelligence, expertise, and training specific to battling gang -related crime. The Gang Unit maintains partnerships with, and provides gang awareness training to, schools, corporations, social service agencies, probation officers, trial courts, District Attorneys' offices, and civilian groups. The Gang Unit's primary objective

2706-585: The Massachusetts State Police and its former agencies which made up its ranks have been killed in the line of duty. The earliest death was in 1909 and the latest death was March 3, 2022. In November 2019, Superintendent Gilpin announced her retirement as colonel of the Massachusetts State police after two years in the position. During the 1960s and 1970s, the MSP issued the Walther PPK as

2788-621: The Metropolitan Police) departments merged to form what is currently known as the Department of State Police (an agency within the Executive Office of Public Safety, which is different from the Department of Public Safety). The four former agencies officially ceased to exist on July 1, 1992. The distinctive uniform and seal of the former Division of State Police would be retained by the newly formed Department of State Police. The ranks of corporal and staff sergeant were not carried over into

2870-508: The National Marine Fisheries Service to enforce federal laws. In 1981, the Division of Law Enforcement was transferred back to the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Recreation Vehicles. In 1985, the Division of Law Enforcement and the Division of Marine and Recreational Vehicles merged. After the merger, the new agency fell under the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Environmental Law Enforcement. The new department

2952-611: The Rhode Island border and west to the A Troop border in Waltham, and north to Somerville. Troop H headquarters are located in South Boston. Troop H Barracks are located in: The State Police Community Action Team is a unique unit. The purpose of the CAT is to augment A, B, C, D, and H troop barracks with extra patrols to be used for various duties. They are a combination of an anti-crime unit and

3034-692: The Sandwich river with a fine of ten pounds. In 1661, the Plymouth Colony banned any foreigner without permission from fishing on Cape Cod. In 1668, to protect cod, haddock, and pollock during spawning the Massachusetts Bay Colony banned all fishing in December and January. Fishing of mackerel was also banned in May and June. The penalty for fishing during the spawning period was 5 schillings per barrel. In 1670,

3116-650: The Strike Force combines the prosecutory expertise of the Attorney General's Office with the scientific and investigatory skills of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Environmental Police, and the State Police. The Strike Force investigates and prosecutes environmental crimes that have serious public health consequences—cases involving illegal hazardous and solid waste disposal, water pollution, air quality violations, illegal pesticide application, and violations of wetland protection statutes. The Marine Theft Bureau

3198-547: The beach in a bathing suit. They were required at the time two carry weapons at all times, because they were considered one duty 24/7. From 1986 and on, the new off duty weapon was the .38 Special Smith & Wesson Bodyguard revolver. The agency issued the SIG Sauer P226 in 9mm from the early 1990s, followed by the SIG Sauer P226 DAK ( Double Action Kellerman ) in .40 S&W . In 2011, troopers started carrying

3280-523: The canine unit would work in support of, or in conjunction with, other specialized units including the Air Wing, STOP team, Marine Unit, Dive Team, and the SERT team. Their services are available upon request, without cost to the requesting agency. The State Police uses dogs such as Labrador Retrievers , German Shepherds , Dutch Shepherds , and Belgian Malinoises . In order to become a K-9 officer, one must be on

3362-463: The commissioners. The deputy commissioners were given the power to arrest without warrant persons found violating laws. Fishing on Sundays was also banned by an act which said "Whoever attempts to take or catch any fish on the Lord's Day ... shall be punished by a fine not exceeding ten dollars". In 1886, the commission's authority was extended to the protection and preservation of birds and animals and its name

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3444-750: The commonwealth. The D Troop headquarters are located in Middleborough , and the Troop also includes Cape Cod , Martha's Vineyard , and Nantucket . Troop D Barracks are located in: Troop F patrols and provides law enforcement for all properties of the Massachusetts Port Authority , including Boston 's Logan International Airport in East Boston, Boston's seaport district, the Port of Boston , and South Boston's World Trade Center. Until 2010, its only barracks

3526-515: The data is performed when necessary. Scale diagrams and plates are produced as required, and a detailed reconstruction report is written. Expert testimony is provided by members in both civil and criminal actions. The section also provides detailed, scale mapping of large outdoor crime scenes, and assists agencies with routine mathematical analysis or vehicle examinations. The section is composed of seven sergeants and seventeen troopers, all of whom are active collision reconstructionists. The members of

3608-495: The enforcement of law being definitely limited to fish and game laws, and the recent rulings and decisions having been established the fact that the law relating to Sunday fishing is "An act for the better observance of the Lord's day" and not a fish law, it was manifestly our duty to instruct our deputies not to enforce a law which we have no right to enforce". In 1901, the deputy force consisted of paid deputies, special deputies, and unpaid deputies. The paid deputies were employed by

3690-647: The expertise of underwater rescue and recovery. Troop "E" was unique in that it did not encompass a section of the commonwealth, but was instead responsible for the Massachusetts Turnpike, which stretches from the New York border to Boston Harbor . Troop "E" headquarters were located in Boston and also patrolled Interstate 93 North and South from the Tip O'Neill Tunnel over the Zakim Bridge to Rutherford Avenue. The troop

3772-548: The force for at least 5 years. Troopers also get a Massachusetts State Police K-9 cruiser. The State Police Mounted Unit is an elite unit in the State Police. It consists of 15-25 police horses. This group of specialized troopers have been on the force for a minimum of 5 years prior to joining the Mounted Unit. The unit is located in Acton . The Dive Team is composed of specially trained troopers who are trained to provide assistance in

3854-399: The improvement thereof at Cape Cod and places adjacent. You shall faithfully discharge the trust imposed upon you in demanding and receiving whatsoever shall be due unto the Colony by such fish as shall be there taken; and shall seasonably give in a true account thereof unto the Treasurer yearly." In 1672, a new law was created which gave the water bailiff authority to seize any fish caught by

3936-465: The informer and the colony. Magistrates were authorized to issue warrants to persons empowering them as water bailiffs to make such seizures. The Massachusetts Bay Colony (situated around present day Boston and Salem) and the Colony of New Plymouth (situated around present day Barnstable County, Plymouth county and Bristol county) unified in 1692 to form the Province of Massachusetts Bay. In 1693, deer hunting

4018-727: The inland regions are responsible for enforcing a wide variety of laws and regulations including the statutes regarding hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, and off-highway vehicles. Inland officers also investigate cases of illegal waste disposal, wetlands violations, and assist in search and rescue efforts. Officers patrol in cruisers, four-wheel-drive vehicles, boats, off-road vehicles, on foot, and in aircraft when necessary. Inland officers pay particular attention to state forests, parks, wildlife management areas, boat access sites and heavily used public waterways such as major rivers and great ponds. The Boat and Recreation Safety Bureau coordinates boating and recreation vehicle safety programs throughout

4100-425: The intent that the said creature (which is both harmless and profitable) may be preserved and increased". Massachusetts was the first in the nation to appoint game wardens in 1739. The first game wardens were first known as "Informers of Deer" and later on as "Deer Reeves". In 1739, the fine for killing a buck, doe, or fawn was increased from forty schillings to ten pounds. Along with the increased fine, every town in

4182-581: The investigation of fatal or serious bodily injury collisions. C.A.R.S. conducts "at scene" investigations, measuring the scene using the Topcon Total Station, photogrammetry, or graduated tapes. The collision vehicles are examined for mechanical defects and the damage is documented. Data stored by the Event Data Recorder (EDR) is secured and analyzed, as each member is a Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) Technician and Analyst. Mathematical analysis of

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4264-466: The largest law enforcement agency in New England . The MSP is headed by Colonel Geoffrey Noble, the first colonel to not come from State Police ranks. The MSP was established by Massachusetts state governor John A. Andrew when he signed a law creating the State Constabulary on May 16, 1865. This legislative act to "establish a State Police Force" founded the first statewide enforcement agency in

4346-421: The name of the Division of Fisheries and Game was changed to the Division of Game and Inland Fisheries. The Bureau of Marine Fisheries separated from the Division of Game and Inland Fisheries in 1939. The new Division of Marine Fisheries was created to enforce the marine fisheries laws and to appoint coastal wardens. In 1941, a Bureau of Law Enforcement was created within the Division of Game and Inland Fisheries and

4428-554: The nation. The first leader of the State Police was William Sterling King , an American officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The agency remained small and rather informal until 1921, when the MSP was enlarged to comprise 50 officers stationed in barracks across the state with the primary mission of providing law enforcement to rural areas underserved by existing local police agencies. This law enforcement mission

4510-572: The new agency. The Massachusetts Environmental Police remained a separate entity under the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Environmental Law Enforcement, and later became a separate department-level office under the re-organised Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. In the early part of the 2000s the MBTA Police discussed a possible merger but it will most likely not happen due to high costs and standards for both recruitment and training. The Massachusetts State Police rank structure

4592-516: The only cities in the Commonwealth that have the authority to investigate homicides . This responsibility is granted through the District Attorney's Office in each city's respective county. According to Massachusetts General Law, all homicides are under the control of the District Attorney in the county they occur. Only the District Attorney can delegate the responsibility of investigating homicides to another party. In Springfield and Worcester, it

4674-506: The police continue enforcement of fish and game laws including the commercial and recreational harvest of the living marine resources along the Massachusetts coastline. The department's responsibilities include the protection of natural resources, homeland security and law enforcement, safety education, and accident investigation. The department consists of six different bureaus. In 2016, media reports exposed questionable payroll practices at

4756-634: The position of water bailiff was created to regulate the Cape Cod Fisheries. Thomas Paine was appointed as the first water bailiff. The law required residents of the colony to pay a duty of six pence per barrel of mackerel caught. The duty on mackerel caught by foreigners was one schilling and 6 pence per barrel. "You shall faithfully serve in the office of Water Bailiff in the Jurisdiction of New Plymouth and shall carefully observe such orders of Court as concerns your said office with special reference unto

4838-427: The prohibition of hunting waterfowl at night. The penalty from the crime was split between the person reporting the crime and the poor. In 1717, to increase the deer population, a law was passed which prohibited any killing of bucks, does, and fawns until August 1, 1721. "Whereas the depth of snow in some late winters hath been so great as hath occasioned the destruction of a great part of the deer in this province; to

4920-443: The province was now required to appoint two people to enforce the revised law. The two people chosen by the towns were known as "Informers of Deer" and they were sworn town officers "whose care and duty it shall be to inform of all breaches of this act, and to take care that the violators thereof be duly prosecuted and punished". The informers were the first game wardens in the country. The penalty for towns which did not choose Informers

5002-668: The rank of Captain prior to being appointed to the rank of Detective Captain. The ranks of Major and Lieutenant Colonel are appointed by the Colonel/Superintendent. The Deputy Superintendent holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The Colonel/Superintendent is appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Troop "A" includes the northeastern section of the commonwealth. The A Troop headquarters are located in Danvers , and there are 70 municipalities located within Troop A. Troop A Barracks are located in: Troop "B" includes

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5084-426: The raw flesh and raw skin of one wild deer, killed since the 21st day of December last, contrary to a law of this province, the peace of said lord the king, his crown and dignity. He was fined 10 pounds and costs 29 shillings, Noah Smith Jr of Hadley the informer, was to have half the fine". In 1865, the Board of Commissioners on Fisheries was created and composed of three members. Deputy commissioners were appointed by

5166-955: The request of local public safety officials or State Police Commanders. The POP Team usually deploys several times a year. In October 2007, while coordinating with the Boston Police Department , the unit played a large role in responding to riots in Boston following the Red Sox World Series victory. The POP Team also policed many protests during the George Floyd protests . The State Police K-9 unit deploys approximately 41 highly trained canines to agencies throughout New England for search and rescue , criminal apprehension, narcotics detection, crowd control , missing persons searches, cadaver recovery searches, site security, arson detection, explosive detection, and other missions. Depending on specific mission requirements, members of

5248-958: The request of the officers' union. The Massachusetts Environmental Police has 100 officers and is divided into six Bureaus. Massachusetts coastal communities are divided into six enforcement regions encompassing approximately 1,500 square miles. Offshore enforcement adds an additional 2,500 square miles of territorial waters to the Environmental Police's jurisdiction. Coastal officers monitor fishing and other activities both on land and at sea. Officers patrol coastal waters conducting investigations of illegal fishing practices, marine theft cases, and enforcement of boat registration and titling requirements. The coastal force mediates disputes between competing fishing interests such as draggers, gill-netters, lobster men, and recreational anglers. In addition, coastal officers closely monitor fish markets, processing facilities, shellfish digging, and Off-Highway Vehicle use on beaches. Environmental Police Officers serving in

5330-446: The right to enter upon such lands when necessary for the purpose of such enforcement". In 1948, the Division of Law Enforcement was established within the Department of Conservation. The new division consisted of a director who was given the authority to appoint a chief coastal warden and chief conservation officer. The conservation officers enforced inland fish and game laws and the coastal wardens enforced marine fisheries laws. In 1953,

5412-428: The sea ebbs and flows within the precinct of the town where they dwell unless the freeman of the same town or general court have otherwise appropriated them." The colony also created many laws that paid bounties for killing wolves. In 1630, the colony created a law that paid one schilling to any colonist who killed a wolf. In 1640, the Massachusetts Bay Colony passed a law which gave forty schillings to any man who killed

5494-626: The section are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR), or are currently pursuing accreditation. The members also maintain memberships in many professional associations, such as the National Association of Professional Accident Reconstruction Specialists (NAPARS). The members, on average, handle approximately 30 cases each per year. They are further required to attain at least 40 hours of additional education/training per year. Also called

5576-420: The state and served as deputies all year long. The special deputies worked varying terms of service and were employed by the state, hunting clubs, and towns. In 1902, the Office of Inspector General of Fish was abolished and its power and duties are given to the Board of Commissioners on Fisheries and Game. The deputy force of 1911 consisted of 29 paid deputies, 15 special deputies, and 186 unpaid deputies. In 1912,

5658-585: The unit consists of 21 pilots and tactical flight officers. The STOP team serves as the State Police SWAT squad. This unit was created in 1971 and responds to major incidents, hostage situations, dangerous search warrants , arrest warrants , and any other serious events. The SERT team serves as a requestable adjunct to local law enforcement agencies requesting state assistance in civil disturbances, special events, or missing persons searches. The Marine Section provides routine river and marine patrol on

5740-803: The western section of the commonwealth. The B Troop headquarters are in Northampton . Troop B has primary law enforcement responsibilities in many municipalities that lack local police departments in Western Massachusetts . Troop B Barracks are located in: Troop "C" includes the central section of the commonwealth. It is the largest of the troops, and the C Troop headquarters are located in Holden . 85 towns rely on C Troop to assist with law enforcement or provide primary patrol coverage. Troop C Barracks C8, located in New Braintree , has no operational Troopers, but

5822-403: Was assessed a fine." In 1636, a law was created which stated that no guns or iron traps could be used near the highway. During the colonial period, alewives were a very important fish used for food and fertilizer. Plymouth colony created some of the country's earliest fishing regulations to protect the alewives. In 1645, the colony created a law that prohibited the use of nets to catch alewives in

5904-409: Was called the Massachusetts Environmental Police and officers were called Environmental Police Officers. After the 2001 September 11 attacks , the Environmental Police department's role changed to include homeland security. In 2003, the department was transferred back to the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. The name of the department was also changed to the Office of Law Enforcement. Today,

5986-481: Was changed to Board of Commissioners on Fisheries and Game. In 1899, any hunting of birds and game on Sundays was banned. In 1901, the Attorney General, Hosea M. Knowlton, rendered a decision that the deputies of the commission are no longer allowed to enforce the Sunday fishing ban. The decision made by the attorney general was made because the Sunday fishing ban was not a law relating to inland fisheries. "Its authority for

6068-400: Was changed to natural resource officer. In 1975, the Department of Natural Resources was reorganized and became the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. The Division of Law Enforcement became the only statewide agency with the primary responsibility to prevent violations of the state's environmental laws . In 1978, the Department of Law Enforcement signed a Memorandum of Understanding with

6150-494: Was eliminated effective May 2, 2018, following accusations of widespread overtime fraud by its members. Troops B, C, and H have taken responsibility for the four barracks and coverage of the Massachusetts Turnpike, while some personnel have been reassigned to Troop F for staff balancing. Troop E Barracks were located in: The Commonwealth is divided into 11 State Police detective units that work out of various district attorneys' offices. Boston , Springfield , and Worcester are

6232-430: Was established to combat intensifying theft problems involving vessels, motors, electronic devices, and other marine accessories. Marine Theft Bureau personnel work closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, federal enforcement agencies, state and local police, harbormasters and insurance agencies to prosecute criminals and recover stolen marine equipment. In addition, the Bureau's Questioned Documents Section cooperates with

6314-424: Was located within the airport. It moved to a building on the outskirts, allowing for more space, parking, and better access to the property. The Troop F Commander also serves as Massport's Director of Aviation Security. Troop F Barracks is located in: Troop "H" includes all of Boston and the metropolitan Boston area south, west, and northwest of Boston not covered by A-4 and A-5. This troop extends southwest to

6396-606: Was made possible by private donations from MSP troopers and employees. The museum, originally intended to be located at the site of the former Troop C2 barracks, was relocated to a building in Whitinsville after a fire damaged a portion of the old barracks building in 2017. Exhibits at the museum include: In 1992, the former Massachusetts Department of Public Safety – Division of State Police, Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Police, Massachusetts Capitol Police , and Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) Police (commonly known as

6478-455: Was organized along military lines with a heavy emphasis on the role of the barracks, spartan working conditions, and a uniformity in appearance and internal culture. Until recently, the MSP maintained one of the strictest regimens for physical size requirements for applicants. Efforts are being made presently to render the department more racially diverse, as well as more inclusive of women and LGBT troopers. Since its inception, 47 officers from

6560-401: Was performed by the trooper on horseback, usually, and in motor cars in areas with upgraded roads. The MSP enlarged its mission to handle primary vehicular regulation on the Commonwealth's interstate and limited-access highways after their development mid-century; during this period, it also established a presence in protecting Logan International Airport . For much of the 20th century, the MSP

6642-406: Was prohibited between January 1 and July 1. The first offense forty schillings, second offense three pounds, third offense five pounds. In 1710, a law was passed that banned the hunting of waterfowl from any boat, canoe, float, raft, or vessel. The penalty for breaking the law was a fine of forty schillings and a three-year prohibition from hunting any waterfowl. In 1727, the law was revised to include

6724-446: Was thirty pounds. In 1763, the act to increase the deer population in the colony was revised to include moose. The revised law prohibited any hunting of deer and moose from December 21 to August 11 of each year. The law also required each town in the colony to appoint two deer-reeves. The deer reeves duties, like the "Informer of Deers", was to enforce the deer protection act and prosecute any offenders. An excerpt from court records: "At

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