Mass. Court Rules Against Police On Education Pay

The highest court in Massachusetts has ruled that cities and towns do not have to pay the state's share of a career incentive program that rewards police with higher pay for furthering their education.

The Supreme Judicial Court ruled Wednesday that the city of Boston is not obligated to pay its police officers the share the state has traditionally paid under the Quinn Bill.

State payments have been greatly reduced in recent years because of budget constraints.

The Boston officers argued in a lawsuit that the city should have to pay its half as well as the state's unfunded portion.

The court said the law requires only that cities and towns pay half, plus any amount received from the state.