This standard is enforced everywhere in the Commonwealth EXCEPT on the Massachusetts State Police
Overview
Throughout history, Massachusetts has prided itself on being well ahead of the rest of the country in adopting consequential public policy initiatives. One such effort is the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act of 1945 (MEPA).
MEPA is not only the cornerstone law for state employment issues, but it also became the framework for the Federal Equal Pay Act of 1963. Our reliance on and expansion of this guideline has ensured the phrase, ‘equal pay for equal work’ is a fundamental workplace benefit to all employees in Massachusetts with one glaring exception: The Massachusetts State Police.
Since 2009, the State Police has operated without an equal wage standard as it pertains to their base salary. The pay disparity between Troopers with equal qualifications can be as much as 25%.
- Pay disparities within the State Police are a barrier to successful recruitment and retention.
- Staffing levels at the Department remain critically low at the same time the need to recruit highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated candidates has never been greater.
- The State Police is now in direct competition with other municipalities and states that offer pay parity and better incentives including a substantially higher rate of pay.
Solution
House Bill# 2353 (Representative Mike Kushmerek) and Senate Bill# 1608 (Senator John Velis) would take the Massachusetts State Police Into the 21st Century. Policing has never been more complex. As law enforcement evolves, Massachusetts needs first responders who pursue higher education and understand more about individuals:
- Burdened by addiction
- Experiencing community or domestic violence
- Suffering with mental illness and other trauma
If the Legislature fixes the equality of wage issue within the State Police, the Department will be better positioned to face the challenges of policing in the 21st Century.
- This legislation will reverse the trend and invest in aligning State Police recruitment and retention incentives with law enforcement agencies throughout the Commonwealth.
- This legislation will help the State Police fulfill their diversity recruitment goals.
- This legislation will assist with the recruitment and retention of the newly created Cadet Program.
This standard is enforced everywhere in the Commonwealth EXCEPT on the Massachusetts State Police
Overview
Throughout history, Massachusetts has prided itself on being well ahead of the rest of the country in adopting consequential public policy initiatives. One such effort is the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act of 1945 (MEPA).
MEPA is not only the cornerstone law for state employment issues, but it also became the framework for the Federal Equal Pay Act of 1963. Our reliance on and expansion of this guideline has ensured the phrase, ‘equal pay for equal work’ is a fundamental workplace benefit to all employees in Massachusetts with one glaring exception: The Massachusetts State Police.
Since 2009, the State Police has operated without an equal wage standard as it pertains to their base salary. The pay disparity between Troopers with equal qualifications can be as much as 25%.
- Pay disparities within the State Police are a barrier to successful recruitment and retention.
- Staffing levels at the Department remain critically low at the same time the need to recruit highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated candidates has never been greater.
- The State Police is now in direct competition with other municipalities and states that offer pay parity and better incentives including a substantially higher rate of pay.
Solution
House Bill# 2353 (Representative Mike Kushmerek) and Senate Bill# 1608 (Senator John Velis) would take the Massachusetts State Police Into the 21st Century. Policing has never been more complex. As law enforcement evolves, Massachusetts needs first responders who pursue higher education and understand more about individuals:
- Burdened by addiction
- Experiencing community or domestic violence
- Suffering with mental illness and other trauma
If the Legislature fixes the equality of wage issue within the State Police, the Department will be better positioned to face the challenges of policing in the 21st Century.
- This legislation will reverse the trend and invest in aligning State Police recruitment and retention incentives with law enforcement agencies throughout the Commonwealth.
- This legislation will help the State Police fulfill their diversity recruitment goals.
- This legislation will assist with the recruitment and retention of the newly created Cadet Program.