Judge Rules In Favor Of State Police On Termination Injunction

BOSTON, MA - The State Police Associaton of Massachusetts on Wednesday announced its support of a state Superior Court decision that blocked the termination of seven troopers who refused to receive the COVID-19 vaccine because of religious beliefs, calling it a "stinging rebuke" of Gov. Charlie Baker's policy.

Judge Christine Roach ruled in favor of the troopers, saying that it brings state and federal law involving religious discrimination into play.

"Today, we applaud Judge Christine Roach’s ruling in our favor," the association said in a statement. "In her decision, the judge found the lawsuit filed by the Association strikes a matter of first impression before the Massachusetts courts as it not only involves the matter of collective bargaining rights for unions but also implicates state and federal law involving religious discrimination."

The State Police Association of Massachusetts on March 3 filed an injunction on behalf of seven troopers set to be terminated under the governor's vaccine mandate for state employees, according to the association, "because of their deeply held religious beliefs."

“While we are grateful for Judge Roach’s decision, we are disappointed it was needed to begin with," said Patrick McNamara, the association president. "Throughout this process the Baker Administration has continued to show they are unwilling to negotiate or accommodate troopers who have sincerely held religious beliefs.

“We hope this ruling will encourage a change in his position on mandated vaccines and to bring all of our troopers back to work," he continued. "On behalf of the membership, I want to thank our legal team, specifically Attorney Leah Marie Barrault, for her efforts in this fight. These matters are not taken lightly and defending our troopers’ rights is a fight we will continue to pursue.”

"These seven troopers were granted a valid religious exemption request to Baker’s vaccination mandate but were not provided reasonable accommodations to continue serving the Commonwealth," added an association spokesman. "The Association has consistently maintained this decision was punitive and arbitrary."

In her decision, Roach called Baker's decision as merely a “Hobson’s choice - in other words, an apparently free choice with no real alternative.”

The governor's office was not immediately available for comment.