"The state's police oversight board has suspended the certification of former Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, the embattled investigator who was fired earlier this year over his conduct during the Karen Read case. The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, or POST, said it has "concluded by a preponderance of the evidence that the suspension is in the best interest of the health, safety, or welfare of the public," according to a Dec. 18 order. Proctor had been certified through July 1, 2026."
"State Police fired Proctor in March, citing in part the vulgar and derogatory texts he sent family, friends, and coworkers about Read. Lawyers for Read, who had been accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, argued Proctor was a fatal flaw, or "cancer," in the prosecution's case. His crass remarks about Read's health and appearance showed the state's investigation was biased from the start, the defense alleged."
"Read's first trial ended in a hung jury in 2024, but a retrial this spring saw her acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges in O'Keefe's death. She still faces a wrongful death lawsuit from O'Keefe's family and is separately suing several witnesses and investigators she claims conspired to frame her, Proctor included. The ex-trooper initially fought to reverse his termination, only to drop his Civil Service Commission appeal months later."
POST suspended Michael Proctor's peace officer certification, concluding by a preponderance of evidence that suspension serves public health, safety, and welfare, per a Dec. 18 order. The suspension requires surrender of any remaining State Police credentials or equipment and bars Proctor from working as a police officer in Massachusetts; he may request a hearing before the commission issues a final decision. State Police fired Proctor in March after vulgar, derogatory texts about Karen Read. Read's first trial ended in a 2024 hung jury and a retrial led to acquittal; she faces civil suits naming Proctor. Proctor dropped a Civil Service appeal after prosecutors disclosed other sensitive material on his personal cellphone.
Read at Boston.com
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