In a move to fortify the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission, Governor Maura T. Healey and Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced the appointment of Reverend Clyde Talley and Deborah Hall. These important new appointments to the POST Commission are a further commitment to criminal justice reform. Established in 2020, the POST Commission has been instrumental in promoting improved policing practices and bolstering public confidence in law enforcement.
Commission’s Role in Building Trust
Over the last three years, the commission has taken important steps to improve public safety, transparency and accountable, and Attorney General Campbell and I are confident that the appointments of Reverend Clyde Talley and Deborah Hall will help build on that progress.” noted Governor Healey. Meanwhile, Attorney General Campbell added, “”In order to advance transparency and trust in public safety, it’s critical we have voices at the table who speak up for justice and accountability. Governor Healey and I are confident Reverend Clyde Talley and Deborah Hall will do just that, and we are thrilled to appoint them to these important roles on the commission,”
In addition, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll weighed in, emphasizing the importance of public confidence. “The POST Commission plays an essential role in strengthening that trust and I am excited to see what they continue to do with Reverend Talley and Deborah Hall on the team.”
The Massachusetts POST Commission’s Duties
Responsible for the certification of Massachusetts police officers, the POST Commission oversees the processes related to decertification, suspension, or reprimand in cases of police misconduct. Consequently, they play a vital role in investigating police misdeeds, encompassing improper force use and biased policing. Moreover, they handle training for all peace officers within the Commonwealth.
Reverend Talley expressed his gratitude for the appointment. “I am grateful to Governor Healey and Attorney General Campbell for giving me the opportunity to join the POST Commission. It’s clear that over the past three years the commission has laid the foundations for strengthening accountability and trust in law enforcement, and I’m eager to continue building on that work,” he said.
About the New Appointees to the POST Commission
Presently, Reverend Talley serves as the Senior Pastor at Belmont A.M.E. Zion Church. His roles extend to being the President & CEO of Yes We Care, Inc., and having leadership positions in various organizations such as the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives (NANOE). Notably, under his stewardship, the Early Childhood Centers (ECC) in Springfield saw the construction of a $4.5 million facility. Dedicated to community service, Rev. Talley is a renowned speaker.
Additionally, Deborah Hall stated, “I am honored to have the opportunity to better our system and help make it a safer experience for our victims, survivors and our law enforcement community. With the leadership of Governor Healey and Attorney General Campbell, I am excited to work on the POST commission to deliver accountability to our Commonwealth.” Presently, Hall is the CEO of YWCA Central MA. With over three decades of experience in domestic violence advocacy, she is an expert in addressing the nexus of race, gender, and community violence. Prior to her Massachusetts tenure, Hall worked for various Attorney’s Offices in Missouri. Furthermore, she is a board member of several organizations and the founder of the Worcester Black History Project. Hall’s educational background includes a BS from Washington University and an MS from Worcester State University.
You can learn more about the new appointments to the POST commission in the press release from Governor Healey’s office.
Xylo News 