NEPBA mourns police advocate

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Malcolm Y. MacKinnon. A graduate of Boston College High School, he began his career as an apprentice printer for the Dedham Transcript, rising to become the president of the Boston Typographical Union. Mr. MacKinnon was a powerful advocate for higher education for the policing profession in Massachusetts. He held the belief that a better educated police officer would serve to professionalize the vocation and ultimately enhance police-community relations. In 1970, Mr. MacKinnon was appointed to the Board of Higher Education by Governor Francis Sargent, later serving as Chairman. That year, the Massachusetts Legislature passed the Police Career Incentive Pay Program known as the   Quinn Bill. He freely lent his vast expertise in collective bargaining matters and union affairs, particularly during the early years of police unions in the Commonwealth.

He was awarded the Labor Guild’s Cushing-Gavin Award by the Diocese of Boston. Recipients  are  selected  for  their  commitment  to  labor-management  relations, professional  competence,  moral  integrity,  and  concern  for  the  community.  Mr. MacKinnon earned a certificate from the Harvard Business School Trade Union Program graduating as Valedictorian. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in World War II. He retired as Industrial Relations Director of the Boston Globe and served as State Arbitrator for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Mr. MacKinnon was the father of Dianne Harrison, wife of Chief Ken Harrison (Ret., Plympton PD and 32 year member of the Weymouth PD) of Kingston, MA

Obituary/Arrangements:  Blake Funeral Home