Pols ‘alarmed’ whites make up 90 percent of state police ranks
The state police ranks are nearly 90 percent white, a number that “alarmed” minority legislators who met with Gov. Charlie Baker yesterday.
“I would say the governor was pretty alarmed when he saw that number, just like we were,” said state Rep. Russell Holmes.
According to state police numbers obtained by the Herald and discussed in a meeting yesterday between members of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, state police are predominately white males.
Of the 2,177 sworn officers, 1,944 are white, or 89 percent. Men make up 94 percent, or 2,045 officers, while the 225 black, Hispanic and Asian officers account for slightly more than 10 percent of the department.
Blacks represent the highest percentage of minorities in the department at 119, or 5.5 percent; there are 64 Hispanics, or 3 percent; and 42 Asians represent 2 percent of the sworn officers, statistics show.
The Bay State’s population is about 80 percent white, according to census figures.
Holmes said reforms to the state’s civil service exam, which determines eligibility for becoming a trooper, were also discussed during the meeting.
Veterans are awarded preferential treatment based on state law. Holmes said he is considering filing legislation to give a greater preference to Massachusetts veterans over those who move to the Bay State and then meet residency requirements based on state law, as well as removing veteran preferences in promotions after a trooper is hired.
“That should not continue for all other promotional exams,” Holmes said.
A spokeswoman for Baker said he “will continue to work with the state police to increase diversity.”
State police spokesman David Procopio said in a statement: “The Massachusetts State Police are committed to increasing diversity among its personnel. ... Our goal is to identify and recruit the best candidates, male and female, from all ethnic and racial backgrounds.”