New State Police Chief Vows Accountability After Trooper's Misconduct Damages Credibility

In the past year, the Massachusetts State Police has been rocked by a series of scandals, including the death of a recruit, overtime theft, fraud, and the revelation of crude and misogynistic texts written by a lead investigator. Amid this intense scrutiny, the agency welcomed a new chief, Colonel Christopher S. Noble, in October 2024.

Over the past 11 months, Noble has focused on understanding the department's culture and challenges. He acknowledges that the State Police "has work to do" but expresses confidence in the team and the systems being put in place. One of the chief's key initiatives is the "Excellence Initiative," which aims to enhance accountability, strengthen operations, deepen community relations, and promote public safety.

Among the changes implemented since Noble's arrival are the appointment of new command staff, a restructuring of captain roles to improve supervision, and the commissioning of an independent review of the State Police's recruit training practices. This comes after the tragic death of a 25-year-old recruit, Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia, during a training exercise last fall.

The new chief has also taken decisive action in the case of Trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the high-profile Karen Read murder case. Proctor was forced to read a series of crude and degrading text messages about the defendant during the trial, which Noble says "absolutely" damaged the credibility of the State Police. Proctor has since been terminated, with Noble emphasizing the importance of integrity for officers handling complex investigations.

As the Massachusetts State Police navigates these challenges, the new leadership is committed to rebuilding public trust and ensuring the department meets the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.