Massachusetts Trooper suspended for ‘serious’ allegations with female motorist
By Howie Carr and Joe Dwinell | Boston Herald
The State Police has suspended a trooper, without pay, after allegations that he made “serious” violations in how he treated a female motorist he pulled over.
Trooper Stephen P. Smith was first placed on restricted duty in May, the State Police said, and was subsequently suspended without pay on July 7. He earned $94,077 last year, according to state Comptroller records.
When asked by the Herald if the allegations included asking a female motorist to exit the vehicle and do as told, the MSP stated an investigation is being conducted into “allegations.” The MSP declined to confirm details of the citizen complaint.
“The Department became aware of a citizen’s complaint, opened an internal affairs investigation, and placed the member alleged to be involved on restricted duty, and subsequently suspended him without pay,” a department spokesperson said. “The allegations made are serious and do not reflect the training or expectations of how Troopers should patrol the roads or engage with any person they meet in the performance of their duties. When the investigation concludes, the Department will take appropriate action.”
The Massachusetts POST Commission, set up to rid the state of bad cops, informed the Herald they are aware of Trooper Smith’s case.
“Trooper Stephen Paul Smith of the Massachusetts State Police has a certification status of ‘Further Certification Review,’ with an underlying status of ‘Certified,’” the commission stated.
The POST commission stated it “requires additional time to make a decision” pending the outcome of the State Police internal affairs investigation. The commission did not address the allegations against the trooper.
But, the POST board did add: “The public Officer Status List is updated around the end of each month. You should see Smith’s updated status reflected on the website in the coming days.”
This is the latest in a string of MSP cases, from an alleged drunken driving fatal crash to a fistfight at a bar.
