January 1, Massachusetts state troopers resign en masse over COVID-19 vaccine mandate

The State Police Association of Massachusetts (SPAM) said that dozens of troopers submitted their resignations following the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which requires proof of vaccination by October 17.

The union released the following statement after a judge denied a request from SPAM to pause the vaccine mandate:

Throughout COVID, we have been on the front lines protecting the citizens of Massachusetts and beyond. Simply put, all we are asking for are the same basic accommodations that countless other departments have provided to their first responders, and to treat a COVID related illness as a line of duty injury.

To date, dozens of troopers have already submitted their resignation paperwork, some of whom plan to return to other departments offering reasonable alternatives such as mask wearing and regular testing.  The State Police are already critically short staffed and acknowledged this by the unprecedented moves which took troopers from specialty units that investigate homicides, terrorism, computer crimes, arsons, gangs, narcotics, and human trafficking, and returned them to uniformed patrol.

According to the union’s attorney, approximately 20 percent of State Police employees are unvaccinated.

Source:

Dozens Of Massachusetts State Police Troopers Resigning Over COVID Vaccine Mandate, Union Says