Boston, August 27, 2025
News Summary
Michael Proctor, a former Massachusetts state trooper, is appealing his termination stemming from misconduct allegations related to the investigation of Boston police officer John O’Keefe’s death. The appeal is being heard by the Massachusetts Civil Service Commission, which began hearings that could extend over multiple days. Proctor’s attorney claims the decision to terminate was influenced by public and political pressure. Witness testimony and evidence presented during the hearings are expected to play a significant role in the commission’s upcoming decision.
Boston
Former Massachusetts State Trooper Appeals Termination; Hearing Underway at Civil Service Commission
Michael Proctor, a former Massachusetts state police trooper who was the lead investigator in the case involving the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe, is appealing his March termination to the Massachusetts Civil Service Commission. The appeal hearing began Tuesday morning in downtown Boston and is expected to continue over multiple days, including a two-day stretch this week and additional sessions scheduled for October 21, 22, and 23.
Key developments
Proctor’s firing followed a suspension that took effect after the first murder trial of defendant Karen Read ended in a mistrial in 2024. The Massachusetts State Police moved to terminate Proctor in March after text messages he sent about Read surfaced during that first trial. The state police’s trial board later found Proctor’s performance unsatisfactory, citing misconduct that included derogatory communications about the defendant and other improper behavior during the investigation.
Hearing testimony and focus
At the Civil Service Commission hearing, Proctor did not provide testimony. The proceedings centered on the sole witness presented by the Massachusetts State Police, Det. Lt. Kevin Dwyer, who has more than 20 years of experience and was involved in reviewing Proctor’s conduct. Cross-examination of Dwyer began Tuesday and is set to continue on Wednesday; the commission also scheduled additional hearing dates later in October.
A notable portion of the hearing included playing video clips of Proctor’s testimony from Read’s first trial. Those clips were introduced to illustrate Proctor’s demeanor and statements made during the earlier proceedings. The police presentation also included evidence drawn from the text messages that prompted Proctor’s suspension and subsequent firing.
Allegations revealed in messages and investigation
The text messages disclosed during the first trial reportedly contained crude and derogatory remarks about the defendant and included comments that suggested harm to the defendant. The messages also raised questions about how certain evidence was handled during the investigation. Federal investigators who were reviewing the police handling of the Read case prompted the internal inquiry into Proctor’s conduct.
Dwyer testified that investigators found instances where Proctor consumed alcohol and drove his cruiser, but the evidence did not show that Proctor was intoxicated while on duty. The State Police investigation focused on professional conduct and adherence to department policies rather than criminal charges arising from the investigatory work.
Defense response and context
Proctor’s attorney argued that public and political pressure influenced the State Police’s decision to terminate and characterized the disciplinary process as overreaching. The defense also highlighted that Proctor was never charged with a crime related to his investigatory work. As part of its defense, the attorney submitted statements from political figures to suggest external pressures contributed to the outcome of the internal review.
Members of Proctor’s family attended the hearing and expressed dismay at evidence and testimony presented against him. Proctor was not called to testify during Read’s second trial.
What comes next
The Civil Service Commission’s hearing will continue with further cross-examination and additional sessions later in October. The commission will review the record and testimony before making a determination on whether the termination should be upheld, reduced, or overturned. Any decision by the commission could be appealed further under applicable civil service and administrative review processes.
Background on the underlying case
The underlying criminal matter involves the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe and the prosecution of Karen Read. The first murder trial ended in a mistrial in 2024, after which federal and state-level reviews looked into how law enforcement handled the investigation. Proctor was the lead investigator on the case and his conduct during the investigation and the first trial became the subject of the internal State Police review that led to his suspension and later termination.
FAQ
What is Michael Proctor appealing?
Proctor is appealing his March termination from the Massachusetts State Police to the Massachusetts Civil Service Commission. The appeal challenges the trial board’s finding that his performance was unsatisfactory due to misconduct.
Why was Proctor fired?
The State Police moved to terminate Proctor after text messages he sent about the defendant in the underlying criminal case surfaced during the first trial. The messages were described as derogatory and included comments that raised questions about his professionalism and about handling of evidence.
What happened at the Civil Service hearing?
The hearing began Tuesday in downtown Boston. Proctor did not testify. The State Police presented Det. Lt. Kevin Dwyer as its sole witness and played video clips of Proctor’s testimony from the first trial. Cross-examination of Dwyer is continuing, with additional hearing dates scheduled for October.
Was Proctor charged with a crime?
No criminal charges were brought against Proctor in relation to his investigatory work, according to his attorney. The matter under review at the Civil Service Commission concerns employment discipline, not a criminal prosecution.
What are the next steps in the appeal?
The Civil Service Commission will continue hearings and then review the record and testimony before issuing a decision. That decision could uphold, modify, or overturn the State Police’s termination.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Subject | Appeal of termination of former Trooper Michael Proctor |
| Location of hearing | Downtown Boston, Massachusetts Civil Service Commission |
| Hearing start | Tuesday morning (initial session) |
| Upcoming dates | Cross-examination continuing Wednesday; additional sessions Oct 21, 22, 23 |
| Key witness | Det. Lt. Kevin Dwyer (Massachusetts State Police) |
| Underlying criminal case | Death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe; defendant Karen Read |
| Reason for termination | Found unsatisfactory performance tied to misconduct, including derogatory text messages and issues raised about evidence handling |
| Legal status | No criminal charges reported against Proctor related to investigatory work; appeal concerns employment discipline |
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Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
