In a landmark decision rendered by a Suffolk County jury, the Massachusetts State Police is grappling with a substantial financial setback after being ordered to pay over $6.8 million in damages, for practicing systematic discrimination against female and minority troopers. The verdict, originating from a lawsuit filed in 2016, established that the state agency engaged in exclusionary employment tactics that effectively barred women and troopers from diverse backgrounds from ascending through its ranks, especially into specialized units.
The lawsuit, represented by a group of former and current troopers — among whom were individuals identifying as female, Black, and Hispanic — pinpointed to a pattern where the agency preferred male and white candidates for promotions, often bypassing more qualified applicants with diverse racial and gender profiles. According to Boston 25 News, one forceful example included Michael Proctor, a former state trooper embroiled in the Karen Read case. Proctor was dismissed after being found sending sexist and crude texts about her.
The Court's decision shone light on several cases of passed-over promotions that should have been, by measures of qualification and merit, awarded to minority figures, such as the case of lead plaintiff Lisa Butner. Butner, a Black woman, convincingly argued in court the biased promotions she experienced, and as a result will receive $4.1 million of the judgment sum, as MassLive reported. "I'm saying this is what's happening and this is the effect that this process is having," Butner asserted in court.
In response to the verdict, the Massachusetts State Police insisted on its renewed commitment to fostering a department that mirrors the demographic tapestry of the communities it serves. "We continue to implement promotional processes that align the department with national best practices and strengthen our workforce by elevating candidates who not only possess the necessary skills and experience, but also uphold the values essential to delivering excellent police services," a spokesperson stated, as cited by Boston 25 News. Nevertheless, plaintiff lawyer Lisa Brodeur-McGan underscored the severity of the department's conduct to the jury, by illustrating accusations of missing notes and evasion of legally mandated records.
The financial recompense is divided among the plaintiffs, with significant amounts cast for the restitution of dignity and opportunities lost. Luis Martinez and Dana Oliver, two male plaintiffs, shared claims of racial discrimination between 2015 and 2018, are set to receive over $350,000 and $690,000, respectively, according to MassLive. Marion Fletcher and Deborah Ryan, the other two female plaintiffs impacted by the department's discriminatory hiring practices, are awarded nearly $1.3 million and over $410,000, respectively.
