Joint Statement of The Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLCC) and The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Policy Group (MLEPG) Regarding June 9, 2020 Meeting
Today’s meeting between the members of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLCC) and members of the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Policy Group (MLEPG) was a historic and hugely important first step towards achieving greater peace and unity in our community; with both sides engaging in a healthy, robust dialogue relative to the Caucus’s legislative recommendations regarding law enforcement reforms. Community members should know and take inspiration from the collective effort and the opportunity by both groups to better understand and address the issues adversely impacting members belonging to our black, Latino and law enforcement communities. Today’s discussion, in addition to being constructive and productive, should also be seen as a clear signal that both groups are committed to working together to effect change and improve relations between the police and the communities they protect and serve. As the dialogue continues, all involved agree that law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts, already the best in the nation, are uniquely positioned to provide workable and realistic guidance and legislative solutions to challenges impacting law enforcement agencies around the country.
Special thanks to State Rep. Carlos González, Chair of the MBLCC; Lawrence Calderone, President of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association/Co-Chair of the MLEPG; John Nelson, VicePresident of the Massachusetts Coalition of Police/Co-Chair MLEPG; and State Representative Timothy Whelan, a retired State Trooper, who was instrumental in bringing both organizations together. Thanks also for attending to MBLCC members Rep. Chyna Tyler and Rep. Russell Holmes, and also to Rep. Paul Tucker, also a retired police officer and former Chief of Police.
The MBLCC was created in 1973 to advocate for Massachusetts’s communities of color in the legislature. The MLEPG was created several years ago to serve as a coalition of the Commonwealth’s major police unions and organizations to speak on Law Enforcement legislation and policy. Members of the MLEPG also include the Boston Police Detective’s Benevolent Association, the Boston Police Superior Officer’s Federation, the Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers, the Latino Law Enforcement Group of Boston, the Cape Verdean Police Association, the State Police Association of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Municipal Police Coalition, the New England Police Benevolent Association, the Massachusetts Police Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.
Carlos Gonzalez
Chair, Massachusetts Black
and Latino Legislative Caucus
Lawrence Calderone
Co-Chair, Massachusetts Law
Enforcement Policy Group
John Nelson
Co-Chair, Massachusetts Law
Enforcement Police Group
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