Former Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor found guilty, terminated, for unsatisfactory performance, consuming alcohol while on duty

Today, the Massachusetts State Police announced the decision of Colonel Geoffrey Noble to accept the Trial Board’s recommendation to terminate Michael Proctor from his position as Trooper.

The Trial Board found Proctor guilty of the two charges presented during the proceeding:

• Article 5.8 Unsatisfactory Performance
• Article 5.10 Alcoholic Beverages

Regarding today’s outcome, Colonel Noble said:

“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, making him ineligible to work (although he would be paid for a period of not more than five days until the duty status hearing, per the Department’s Rules & Regulations as well as the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the State Police Association of Massachusetts).

Simultaneously, the Department transferred Trooper Proctor from the Detective Unit assigned to the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office effective on Sunday, July 7, 2024, which was the first available day at the end of the required five-day notice 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 to work.

Proctor was the lead investigator in the Karen Read case and gained notoriety for his text message chain concerning Karen Read where he stated, “she’s a whack job c***, yes she’s a babe, weird Fall River accent though, no ass.” He also acknowledged that he texted his sister that he hoped Read took her own life.

Also, Trooper Proctor, on July 19, 2022, consumed alcohol while on duty and not in the performance of duty and while acting under specific orders from a supervisory member or proper authority. This occurred when Trooper Proctor consumed alcoholic beverages while eating dinner on duty and then proceeded to operate his Department-issued cruiser.