Lead investigator in Karen Read case Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor suspended without pay after duty status hearing

Today, the Massachusetts State Police convened a duty status hearing regarding Trooper Michael Proctor.

In any duty status hearing, a board of three commissioned officers gathers sufficient facts to reach a fair determination about whether the individual should remain on full duty, be placed on restricted duty, be suspended with pay, or be suspended without pay. During the hearing, the Department can present evidence and witnesses. The trooper, who has the right to be represented by counsel, can cross examine the Department’s witnesses, and present evidence or witnesses of their own.  

In Trooper Proctor’s case, according to Massachusetts State Police, the board recommended suspension without pay. Head of MSP Colonel Mawn accepted the board’s recommendation making it effective immediately.

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 is 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 remains ineligible to work.

The ongoing internal affairs investigation continues. Every internal affairs investigation culminates in a report that addresses each allegation.

At the conclusion of an internal affairs investigation, the Department may pursue charges that would be adjudicated by a State Police Trial Board.

Proctor was the lead investigator 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.