Chiefs,
The July edition of Chief Chats is now available.
Watch the episode: https://youtu.be/yMmjLLw7d0c
The headline: the MPTC voted unanimously to approve our Annual Leadership Conference for mandated in-service credit. The program covers six TY2027 topics, credit is earned topic by topic based on what you attend, and it runs against the July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 cycle. If you attend all three days in Norwood in September, you complete all six. Registration is open through the office, and this is a good month to get your command staff on the calendar.
Also in this episode:
Two new member resources. Guidelines for working with a select board or council liaison, including sample forms and the Open Meeting Law and direct dealing traps that catch departments off guard. And the model policy on pregnancy, accommodation, and lactation, developed by the Women’s Leadership Committee with the General Counsel’s office, which we previewed in June.
POST rulemaking. Proposed amendments to 555 CMR 1.01 are out for comment. The provision to read closely is the definition of reportable conduct and how far down it reaches. Departments with broad catch-all provisions in their own rules are affected most. Please comment, and send your observations to the office.
Civilian traffic control personnel and marked cruisers. Picking up where June’s discussion of retired officers on details left off. What 700 CMR 6.00 does and does not cover, why appointing civilians as special officers does not solve the problem, and what the chief controls under c. 41, section 97A.
Legislative update. Where our positions landed on the amendments to the Senate Economic Development Bill, S.3178, and what happens now that it moves to conference committee.
Jimmy Fund recap and Association news. Thank you to everyone who supported the 35th Annual MCOPA Foundation Jimmy Fund Golf Tournament. Awards Program nominations close August 15.
In Unity there is Strength. Stay informed, and stay connected.