CANTON – Officer Michael Proctor was “fired” Monday and is being reassigned from the Norfolk County Prosecutor’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit.
Proctor will be transferred from the Attorney General’s Office’s Criminal Investigation Division on Sunday, July 7, in accordance with the state police collective bargaining agreement, which requires five days’ notice for new positions.
Lead investigator in Karen Read case ‘dismissed from duty’
State police said the decision is separate from the ongoing internal investigation. Proctor has been suspended, meaning that while he is technically a police officer and is getting paid, he is not allowed to function as a state trooper.
There are four options as a result of the disciplinary hearing.
- He could be reinstated.
- He may be suspended with full pay.
- He may be suspended without pay.
- He might be given limited duties.
Proctor cannot be fired as a result of the hearing. He can resign from his position.
No date has yet been set for the hearing.
Who is Michael Proctor?
Proctor was the lead investigator on Karen Read’s case for the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office. He has been with the police department for about 10 years.
Read’s lawyers accuse him of covering for witnesses who are also his friends and planting evidence. He says he is not guilty of any wrongdoing. The defense has also questioned the relationship between Proctor and his wife and County Selectman Christopher Albert and his wife. Christopher Albert is the brother of retired Boston police officer Brian Albert, the owner of the home where O’Keefe’s body was found in 2022.
Proctor denies all allegations of bias and misconduct.
Proctor’s testimony at the trial of Karen Read
Proctor testified on behalf of the prosecution at the trial. His text messages during his investigation into Karen Read were read aloud in court.
“These childish, unprofessional comments have no bearing whatsoever on the facts, the evidence and the integrity of this investigation,” Proctor testified.
A message to his wife said: “I’m waiting to lock that lunatic up.” Another message, addressed to his bosses as he was going through Read’s phone, said: “No nudes yet.” He also texted his sister: “I hope she kills herself.”
Governor Maura Healey said she was “disgusted” via the text messages and said Proctor’s messages could harm policing across Massachusetts.
