Massachusetts: Accessing Police Misconduct Records

The New England First Amendment Coalition is continuing its freedom of information lessons with new classes on how to obtain police misconduct records.

The lessons build on the information provided in NEFAC’s growing library of public records classes. They are taught by local journalists and attorneys who provide an overview of their respective state’s law and explain how misconduct records can be accessed.

This latest round of classes is provided by NEFAC with support from the Estate of Gloria Negri, the Rhode Island Foundation and the New England Society of News Editors.

Each class is moderated by Emily Sweeney, a journalist at The Boston Globe and author of the books “Boston Organized Crime” and “Gangland Boston.” Sweeney currently writes the Blotter Tales column which appears in the Globe every Sunday. In addition to serving on the NEFAC Board of Directors, she’s also president of the New England Society of News Editors.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Brad Petrishen is a reporter for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. He has been recognized numerous times by the New England Newspaper & Press Association for his work. He has reported on several regions in the state, including for The MetroWest Daily News in Framingham and the Winchester Star.

Jeffrey Pyle is a First Amendment lawyer at Prince Lobel in Boston. Pyle represents newspapers and broadcasters in public records, court access, and defamation cases, and counsels journalists on how to cover the news while limiting their legal risks.

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