Ten-year veteran of Massachusetts State Troopers force, Michael Proctor is before a trial board hearing as the lead investigator into the Karen Read case. When Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe’s death was being investigated, Proctor confessed to having sent derogatory texts about Read that were unprofessional. The outcome of these actions was to suspend him without pay from 7 July 2024 and has highlighted serious questions about the integrity of the investigation and the integrity of practice more widely within law enforcement.
Background of Michael Proctor
Michael Proctor is a veteran of the force for ten years who worked as a detective with the Norfolk county District attorney’s office in the State police detective unit. Moreover, he had also led the investigation of the Karen Read homicide case, in which Read was indicted for killing her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O’Keefe via a car striking him in January 2022.
Proctor was also investigating the disappearance of Ana Walshe, who was also investigating along with her husband, Brian Walshe, the man who served as the presumed murderer of Anna Walshe.
Misconduct Allegations
Trooper Michael Proctor sent unprofessional, derogatory text messages that mocked Karen Read as a ‘whack job’ and joked about her medical condition as a step forward which led to his sending of the text. In Read’s trial, Proctor admitted to making what now became those comments to friends, family and colleagues.
Immediate Repercussions for Proctor
In July 2024, Michael Proctor was suspended without pay after an investigation uncovered that he texted unprofessional and derogatory messages to other troopers involved in the Karen Read investigation. Proctor was relieved of duty of immediate effect for assignment elsewhere in the Detective Unit of the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, as stated by Massachusetts State Police.
Internal Affairs Investigation
The Massachusetts State Police launched an internal affairs investigation into Trooper Mike Proctor in March 2024 involving unprofessional, derogatory text messages he emailed about the Karen Read case. However, the investigation found Proctor did stray from department policies and he was suspended without pay with a hearing before a trial board set for January 15, 2025.
The Trial Board Hearing
The Massachusetts State Police Disciplinary Entity for the evaluation of charges against uniformed members with a one year or more of service are those who were made e-eligible. The colonel appoints the board under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 22C, Section 13, which holds hearings and decides on what type of discipline, that may be suspension or dismissal, is appropriate. Trooper Michael Proctor’s trial board hearing began on January 15, 2025, in the State Police Headquarters in Framingham Mass. No public or media proceedings took place. It was meant to end and resume Feb. 10, 2025 in the same place.
Key Testimonies and Evidence Presented
During Michael Proctor’s Trooper trial board hearing, case evidence proved that in the case of Karen Read, he sent unprofessional and derogatory texts. In those messages, Proctor insisted on referring to himself as a ‘whack job’ and misusing derogatory terms to describe a ‘whack job’ such as Read. He also made her ‘kill herself.’ These texts were first revealed when Proctor himself admitted in Read’s trial that they were unprofessional. The argument was that such communications also spelled bias in the investigation. The first hearing of the trial board hearing which began on January 15th has not yet concluded and will resume February 10, 2025.
Proctor’s Defense and Public Statements
At the trial board hearing on January 15, 2025, Trooper Michael Proctor admitted to sending unprofessional and derogatory text messages pertaining to Karen Read while she was under investigation for the death of her boyfriend. Read was also called a ‘whack job,’ and he was labeled disparagingly by him too. Proctor said he was sorry for the word he used and how he spoke. He took responsibility for his language as well as ‘getting the best of him’.
Public and Media Reactions
Supporters of Read have staged rallies outside of the courthouse, loudly seconded by such slogans as ‘Free Karen Read,’ and insisting as true that she was innocent. Local outlets including the Canton Citizen have been providing in-depth coverage on the case, as they aim to cover the impacts of the case on the community. Talking also of the place of social media and popular opinion in legal proceedings, the case has also started some conversations.
Uniformed members found guilty of misconduct by the Massachusetts State Police trial board have the power of enforcement of disciplinary measures from suspension to dismissal. The board’s findings could affect Trooper Michael Proctor with a suspension, demotion, or termination based on possible outcomes.
Ending Proctor’s days as a law enforcement officer could play a major hand in derailing his career once it was over. If fewer disciplinary actions are applied on Michael Proctor, the department as well as the whole law enforcement community would find it harder to regain trust and credibility with Michael Proctor.
