Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor faced consequences for his offensive texts about Karen Read after being relieved of duty following a mistrial in the high-profile murder case. Proctor, who called Read derogatory terms in text messages, will no longer work cases effective July 7. His removal comes after he admitted to dehumanizing Read in his messages. The trial involved Read being charged with murder after Boston police officer John O’Keefe was found unresponsive in 2022. Proctor’s comments about Read were read aloud in court, leading to his removal from the State Police Detective’s Unit assigned to the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office. Governor Maura Healey criticized Proctor for his unprofessional and harmful texts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of law enforcement work. Despite Proctor’s defense that his comments did not affect the investigation’s integrity, the case was declared a mistrial. The State Police continue to investigate Proctor’s misconduct as his texts were deemed unacceptable and damaging to the department’s reputation. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for professionalism and integrity in law enforcement, emphasizing the importance of upholding standards of conduct within the State Police.
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