When a Massachusetts state trooper arrived at Bob Birch’s home in November 2021, Birch assumed it had something to do with COVID-19 regulations. He runs a web design company in Westfield, and internal records revealed that employees at the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) were critical of the agency’s vaccine mandates. Nearly 30 of these employees went on to challenge MSP in federal court after facing investigations, suspensions, or dismissals, often regarding their exemption requests.
The situation escalated to the point where two MSP officers visited Birch’s company, Bright Cloud Studios, to probe into the Massachusetts Medical Freedom Guardian website, which has since been taken down. Birch recalled, “They asked where the website came from, who financed it, and I just thought, ‘I can’t just let my client be exposed.'” He sensed their approach went beyond mere investigation.
However, Birch was not the main focus. Former troopers like Josh Ulrich, Chris Dolan, and Thomas Mace faced disciplinary actions due to their ties to the group advocating against the vaccine requirements before they eventually left MSP. This investigation underscored the lengths some officials went to suppress critics of former Governor Charlie Baker’s vaccination policy.
MSP refrained from commenting due to an ongoing lawsuit involving a former officer.
Pushing Back
Leaders within MSP took issue with the Medical Freedom website, fearing it may mislead the public into thinking it was affiliated with the MSP, thus violating policies against police criticism. In a letter from November 2021, the website’s critics argued they were targeting the governor’s mandates rather than the MSP itself, claiming the agency had no claim to the acronym “MSP.” Nonetheless, management remained unswayed.
A senior officer highlighted in a recorded interview how the term “MSP” unequivocally stands for Massachusetts State Police. This opinion prompted a nuanced debate over its interpretation. Clemens, an experienced narcotics detective, confirmed that the group consisted of MSP workers seeking religious or other exemptions from the vaccine mandate.
Per MSP policy, employees must refrain from creating any online presence that uses the Massachusetts State Police’s name without approval. Yet members of the Medical Freedom group had agreed to avoid any variation of the title to adhere to this policy.
Clemens noted that MSP employees are subjected to questioning to validate their religious beliefs when requesting exemptions. If denied, they face potential whistleblowing cases and trials for noncompliance. At the time of the website’s investigation, Clemens and several other group leaders were under disciplinary scrutiny.
Dolan shared that the stress from the situation was overwhelming, especially since he anticipated retirement soon. He revealed that his stance against the vaccine rooted from his Catholic upbringing, as he opposed taking a vaccine associated with fetal cell lines. He maintained that the website was a minor concern given the dire circumstances threatening their careers.
“Politically Charged Environment”
Documents and accounts from former officers indicated that the probe led to actions against Mace, resulting in a dishonorable discharge, while Ulrich, Dolan, and Clemens chose to retire early. Ulrich described his departure as forced, just shy of three years from his retirement mark. He added that those suspended without pay were barred from seeking other work.
Ulrich pointed to the political dynamics in Massachusetts, viewing the agency as a significant power player that often overlooked lower-tier employees simply trying to support their families.
Public records demonstrate findings of “misconduct” pertaining to Mace and Ulrich in the context of the investigation. The group’s leaders noted that the absence of “S” in their acronym was adopted as per legal counsel, yet disciplinary action still ensued. In March 2023, Governor Maura Healey revoked Baker’s vaccination mandate.
Clemens condemned the situation, asserting, “Many honorable people have faced severe consequences.” He lamented that dedicated individuals, who once aspired to join the police force, were disillusioned by the department’s response.
Mace, Dolan, and Ulrich are currently part of a lawsuit involving 29 former MSP employees seeking damages and reinstatement. However, a U.S. Judge dismissed claims from the uniformed officers while allowing civilian claims to move forward, leading Dolan to explore options for appeal.
Reflecting on the MSP’s harsh treatment of dissenters, Dolan pointed out that the agency has faced its share of fraud scandals over the years. He remarked that it seemed easier for MSP to focus on those who voiced concerns about civil liberties than to address its internal issues.
Birch, a long-time friend of Dolan, mentioned how he created the freedom website to assert workers’ rights to refuse untested vaccines. He suspected that the pandemic was becoming a tool for the public to navigate rather than the urgency everyone initially perceived.
Dolan, who spearheaded the lawsuit, was once recognized for his contributions to law enforcement while serving in the MSP. Birch ended by expressing admiration for Dolan, highlighting the integrity he brings to the force.
