Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S1680 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 1
2	2	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 725 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
3	3	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1680
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Lydia Edwards
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
12	12	An Act establishing a peace officer oath.
13	13	_______________
14	14	PETITION OF:
15	15	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Lydia EdwardsThird Suffolk 1 of 3
16	16	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 725 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
17	17	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1680
18	18	By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1680) of Lydia Edwards for
19	19	legislation to establish an ethic oath for peace officers. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
20	20	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
21	21	_______________
22	22	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
23	23	(2025-2026)
24	24	_______________
25	25	An Act establishing a peace officer oath.
26	26	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
27	27	of the same, as follows:
28	28	1 Chapter 6E of the Massachusetts General Laws, as appearing in the most recent edition,
29	29	2is hereby amended by inserting a new section 13, Section 13A the following:-
30	30	3 SECTION 1: Section 13A: Ethical Oath for Peace Officers
31	31	4 Section 13A. (a) In alignment with the mission of the Massachusetts Peace Officer
32	32	5Standards and Training Commission established in Section 2 of Chapter 6E. Public confidence
33	33	6and improved policing standards shall be enhanced by requiring an ethical oath for peace officers
34	34	7including the head of an agency, a special state police officer appointed pursuant to sections 58
35	35	8and 63 of Chapter 22C and special sheriff's deputy sheriffs appointed pursuant to sections 3 and
36	36	94 of chapter 37, constables executing an arrest for any reason, or any other special, reserve, or
37	37	10intermittent peace officer.
38	38	11 (b) Peace officers certified under this chapter shall swear or affirm an ethical oath
39	39	12inspired by principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, and accountability to the public they 2 of 3
40	40	13serve. This oath shall be administered upon certification and recertification, reinforcing a
41	41	14commitment to public service, ethical conduct, and adherence to constitutional principles.
42	42	15 (c) The ethical oath shall include the following pledges:
43	43	16 (i) To prioritize the protection and well-being of all individuals in the community,
44	44	17upholding the principle of “first, do no harm”;
45	45	18 (ii) To employ de-escalation techniques and use force only when absolutely necessary,
46	46	19ensuring proportionality and respect for human life;
47	47	20 (iii) To uphold and protect civil liberties and constitutional rights without discrimination
48	48	21based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or socioeconomic status;
49	49	22 (iv) To provide or call for emergency medical services for any person with whom they
50	50	23are in contact or have under their custody or control, who they have participated in the causation
51	51	24of or who is experiencing an emergent medical condition;
52	52	25 (iv) To serve with integrity, transparency, and accountability, acknowledging the public
53	53	26trust placed in peace officers;
54	54	27 (v) To maintain professional competence through ongoing education and training, with a
55	55	28focus on ethical decision-making and community engagement; and
56	56	29 (vi) To actively report and address misconduct within the profession, fostering a culture
57	57	30of accountability and trust.
58	58	31 (d) The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission is directed to
59	59	32develop the specific language of the oath and ensure its consistent administration. The 3 of 3
60	60	33Commission shall consult with community stakeholders, legal experts, and law enforcement
61	61	34professionals to create a text that reflects the highest standards of ethical conduct and public
62	62	35service.
63	63	36 (e) The ethical oath shall be included as a mandatory component of officer training
64	64	37programs, professional evaluations, and certification processes. Noncompliance with the oath
65	65	38shall be grounds for review and potential disciplinary action by the Massachusetts Peace Officer
66	66	39Standards and Training Commission.
67	67	40 (f) The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission in connection
68	68	41with the Executive Office of Public Safety shall report annually to the Governor and the
69	69	42Legislature on the implementation and effectiveness of the ethical oath in promoting professional
70	70	43standards and public trust in law enforcement.
71	71	44 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect 90 days after its passage to allow for the
72	72	45development and adoption of the ethical oath by the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and
73	73	46Training Commission.