Gov. Baker, Col. Gilpin Unveil Sweeping Reforms For Massachusetts State Police

Gov. Charlie Baker and the head of the Massachusetts State Police on Monday announced the elimination of an entire state police troop, in addition to other sweeping changes to staffing, oversight and audits of the agency.

This follows several major scandals involving overtime pay, including one where a separate troop's salaries were not reported to the state comptroller for years.

"The colonel, the secretary of public safety and the command staff at the Massachusetts State Police have developed a comprehensive plan to address the supervisory, accountability and transparency issues that have been raised by these events," said Baker on Monday.

State Police Col. Kerry Gilpin says the reforms are about increasing public trust.

"We swore an oath to serve the citizens of the commonwealth of Massachusetts to keep communities safe," Gilpin said. "One of the most critical requirements necessary for us to fulfill our mission is to have the trust and confidence of the citizens we serve. It is clear that the actions of members of this agency have threatened that public trust."

Steve Brown, WBUR State House reporter. He tweets @WBURSteve.

Greg Sullivan, research director at the Pioneer Institute and former state inspector general under Governors Romney and Patrick.