Suspension of Trooper Michael Proctor for his conduct during the Karen Read investigation raises the ire of the police union

BOSTON – The Massachusetts State Police Union demanded the decision to suspend Private Michael Proctor without payment for his Behavior as lead investigator in Karen Read case “disappointing.”

Proctor was suspended on Monday following a hearing on his duties. The suspension took effect immediately following the hearing.

Text messages from Trooper Proctor about Karen Read

The veteran police officer was the lead investigator in Read’s murder case. During his testimony, Proctor was forced to read out “regrettable” text messages he had sent to friends, family and colleagues.

The news came to light as part of the federal investigation into Read’s case.

In a message, Proctor said about Read “I hope she kills herself.” In another case, he called them “crazy (swear word).”

Massachusetts State Police Union Responds to Suspension

On Tuesday, Brian Williams, president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts, said the union would “never tolerate the unacceptable language in Proctor’s personal text messages.”

“To date, we have received no information to indicate that his suspension was the result of anything other than this text message exchange,” Williams’ statement said. “We want to reiterate that, unless the Department’s ongoing investigation proves otherwise, yesterday’s actions are unrelated to the salacious allegations of cover-ups, collusion or conspiracy advanced by the defense.”

Read is accused of hitting and killing her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, with her SUV in 2022. Her defense claims she is the victim of a cover-up by several people, including the police.

The months-long trial, which attracted national attention, ended in a miscarriage of justice because the jury could not reach a consensus.

“Every member of the Massachusetts State Police hopes that the O’Keefe family finds peace, comfort and closure as they continue to mourn the loss of their loved one,” Williams said in his statement. “Unless the focus is shifted away from trivial matters and back to the investigation and prosecution of John O’Keefe’s death, the justice his family deserves will be slow in coming.”