11 Massachusetts state troopers, 1 sergeant fired for refusing COVID-19 vaccine
Eleven Massachusetts State Troopers and one sergeant were terminated Friday after refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, a spokesperson for the department confirmed. The action comes nearly eight months after Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order requiring all executive branch employees to provide proof of vaccination by Oct. 17 or face disciplinary action, including possible termination. The State Police Association of Massachusetts previously challenged Baker’s mandate at both the administrative level and in the courts. In February, the union representing state police troopers lost its appeal challenging Baker’s implementation of the vaccine mandate for all state employees, exhausting its final avenue to shield its members from the vaccine requirement that has been in place since mid-October.Several state troopers also resigned over the vaccine mandate. In a statement released Friday evening, the State Police Association blasted the move to fire the troopers. “Governor Baker has proven yet again just how hypocritical he is. As part of a Friday night news dump, he has just terminated at least 12 Troopers due to his vaccine mandate. No appeals. No due process. Just a Governor hell bent on breaking the backs of the State Police who work tirelessly each day to keep the Commonwealth safe,” the statement said. “His clear and petty animosity has been on full display for months now. While he closes COVID testing sites, asked that the State House be reopen without a mandate and has generally shown that we are in the endemic phase of COVID-19, he is still insisting on firing at least 12 Troopers from an already short staffed department. The Troopers deserve better. The Commonwealth deserves better. And, Charlie Baker should be ashamed,” the statement said.
Eleven Massachusetts State Troopers and one sergeant were terminated Friday after refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, a spokesperson for the department confirmed.
The action comes nearly eight months after Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order requiring all executive branch employees to provide proof of vaccination by Oct. 17 or face disciplinary action, including possible termination.
The State Police Association of Massachusetts previously challenged Baker’s mandate at both the administrative level and in the courts.
In February, the union representing state police troopers lost its appeal challenging Baker’s implementation of the vaccine mandate for all state employees, exhausting its final avenue to shield its members from the vaccine requirement that has been in place since mid-October.
Several state troopers also resigned over the vaccine mandate.
In a statement released Friday evening, the State Police Association blasted the move to fire the troopers.
“Governor Baker has proven yet again just how hypocritical he is. As part of a Friday night news dump, he has just terminated at least 12 Troopers due to his vaccine mandate. No appeals. No due process. Just a Governor hell bent on breaking the backs of the State Police who work tirelessly each day to keep the Commonwealth safe,” the statement said.
“His clear and petty…
Read More: 11 Massachusetts state troopers, 1 sergeant fired for refusing COVID-19 vaccine