Law Enforcement Workshops, Spring 2010
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Holyoke Community College is offering a series of Law Enforcement classes, workshops and seminars.
If you need further information, please contact:
Robert Griffin, Director of Program Operations
at rgriffin@hcc.mass.edu or mail to:
HCC/CBPD, Attn: Robert Griffin
303 Homestead Avenue
Holyoke, MA 01040
Tel. 413/552-2086
911 Emergency Dispatching Seminar
Legal Issues for Massachusetts Call Takers & Dispatchers (Sworn & Non-Sworn)
What the 911 Public Safety Dispatcher MUST Know!
presented by Attorney Patrick Michael Rogers
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Being a public safety dispatcher is one of the most stressful occupations in law enforcement
-- especially in Massachusetts. Unfortunately, very little training, if any, is ever afforded
to this important position. Compounding these problems, whenever a call taker/dispatcher
receives an anonymous telephone call concerning a crime or an emergency, which is usually the
case, the Mass. court system requires that a certain legal test be employed in assessing whether
or not police can legally effect a stop of a motor vehicle or person and launch an investigation.
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This seminar will address precisely how 911 dispatchers, both sworn and civilian, can help the
street officer in overcoming the suppression of evidence. This seminar will present a number of
advanced legal areas impacting the 911 dispatcher. Many practical every day encounters will be
used to help explain this difficult area! It is also IMPERATIVE that patrol supervisors understand
what dispatchers need to know to help patrol officers perform their duties when the dispatcher
is unable to obtain the necessary information.
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Some of the areas covered will include:
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What call takers can do to assess the credibility of known and unknown callers
What dispatchers need to know about the legal ramifications of an illegal stop
We will also address issues of civil liability concerning misinformation broadcast over the air
We will address false arrest claims where an arrest is effected on outdated or incorrect information imparted by the dispatcher.
When can dispatch broadcast CORI & III information directly over the air?
Calling for help over the radio --
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Can the non-sworn police dispatcher speak for the Chief?
Other Critical Issues:
What if the dispatcher makes a mistake?
Like imparting the wrong DOB over the air?
What if a person is arrested because of a mishap in dispatch?
We will discuss this precise issue concerning the various legal protections that are available for a police dispatcher -- whether sworn or not.
We will also discuss HIPPA issues pertaining to dispatch.
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| CRN # |
Course # |
Fee |
Start |
End |
Day (s) |
Time |
| 15476 |
CWD 499-64 |
$135 |
2/2 |
2/2 |
Tuesday, 1 day |
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
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School Law & Discipline
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Topics covered will include:
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When can the criminal history of a juvenile legally be disclosed to an educator? By police?
What is C.O.R.I. (criminal offender record information)?
How can Massachusetts administrators become certified to lawfully receive C.O.R.I.? What if a teacher learns that a student in his or her class has been arrested for a serious crime?
When can a student’s locker be searched? By Whom?
What type of information will amount to legal justification permitting a locker search? Backpack search? Student search? Student vehicle search?
When can school officials conduct a search of a locker,
students’ backpack, desk, etc., without any quantum of suspicion?
Must a teacher impart the Miranda warnings?
What is the penalty for mere possession of controlled substances or weapon on school grounds? When MUST an educator notify police when a weapon is discovered? What
is the penalty for failure to notify?
What constitutes a dangerous weapon? When can the principal suspend a student for merely being arrested?
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A 12th grade student is wearing a T-shirt with a clearly vulgar expression depicting sexuality—Is there a 1st Amendment Right to wear it? What about in Massachusetts? See how
the law gives more protection to students in this area.
When can the principal have the student expelled?
What conduct of a student will amount to an assault (on a teacher)?
What mechanisms are available to remove the student from
the classroom? Based on conduct occurring after school hours?
What legal defenses are available in Massachusetts if a
teacher is sued by a student? Accused of assault and battery, etc.?
What is the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act and how does it
relate to educators?
Two students are fighting—a teacher present at the scene does not want to intercede because she fears that simply
touching the students may lead to a civil suit—what privileges and immunities exist for educators confronting with this
common problem? Does an educator have a duty to act here?
When can a student successfully bring suit against a teacher, administrator, or police officer?
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| CRN # |
Course # |
Fee |
Start |
End |
Day (s) |
Time |
| 15225 |
CWD 457-64 |
$135 |
4/6 |
4/6 |
Tuesday, 1 day |
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. |
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Firearms Law: Struck Down by Supreme Court
Significant implications now facing ALL licensing authorities in Massachusetts.
Trigger locks for handguns kept in the home for self-defense NOW unconstitutional!!
Important changes have happened which effect every law enforcement official in Massachusetts.
This seminar on firearms law in Massachusetts will be presented by Attorney Patrick Rogers and will
address these issues. Each official attending will receive the entire UPDATED 2009 Massachusetts
Firearms Law as well as the entire decision from the United States Supreme Court of District of
Columbia v. Heller, which now elevates to a Constitutional Right the possession of handguns inside
of a dwelling house.
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Important issues to be covered include:
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NEW Marijuana Law: Can a licensing authority use simple possession as a disqualifier now?
The new ballot initiative states that marijuana possession cannot be used as a penalty or a disqualifier.
LTC Denials:We will fully address this issue and will show how presently the licensing authority’s
decision can be made bullet proof.
Trigger Locks: On the issue of trigger locks, the United States Supreme Court stated that
“this makes it impossible for citizens to use them for the core lawful purpose of self-defense and is
hence unconstitutional.”
The Heller decision struck down laws pertaining to trigger locks in the home. It is now unconstitutional
to require a person to utilize a trigger lock on a firearm kept in the home for the purpose of
immediate self-defense.
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The Court stated “that the American people have considered the handgun to be the quintessential self-defense weapon”
and that “[t]here are many reasons that a citizen may prefer a handgun for home defense:
1) it is easier to store in a location that is readily accessible in an emergency;
2) it cannot easily be redirected or wrestled away by an attacker;
3) it is easier to use for those without the upper body strength to lift and aim a long gun; and
4) it can be pointed at a burglar with one hand while the other hand dials the police.”
The Implication: Individual possession of a firearm in one’s home IS NOW a fundamental right
under the Constitution! So… can licensing authorities still use “unsuitable” or “improper” as a
disqualifier? Who can be regulated?
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| CRN # |
Course # |
Fee |
Start |
End |
Day (s) |
Time |
| 15271 |
CWD 478-64 |
$135 |
3/2 |
3/2 |
Tuesday, 1 day |
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. |
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Domestic Violence -- 2010
This ADVANCED 1-day seminar will be conducted by Attorney Patrick Michael Rogers.
This presentation is specifically
designed for all officials assigned to DV, officers assigned to street duties, and all victim advocates. It will
thoroughly cover the legal complexities surrounding DV in Massachusetts today. Attorney Rogers of Assonet,
Massachusetts is the author of several textbooks and periodicals on Massachusetts law. For over 25 years, he
has lectured on Massachusetts criminal procedure and on issues such as Domestic Violence.
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Important issues to be covered include:
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How far down the chain does the 209A statute extend?
What violations are arrestable under a 209A order? A 208 order?
What violations are NOT arrestable under a 209A order? 208?
Close encounters of the 3rd and 4th kind: accidental encounters
What happens when consent is conflicting? (NEW changes)
When can police testify to what the victim said at the scene?
How can the 6th amendment right to confront witnesses impact your case?
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Massachusetts ’s jurisdictional puzzle on DV will be thoroughly discussed
Why is it more difficult to effect a warrantless arrest in the home or at the threshold?
Probable Cause: We will address how the investigating PO can establish PC after asking a few basic questions.
Service: Is in-hand service required? What about service over the telephone? Can this lead to a conviction?
Civil Liability Issues: An overview of the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act
Relationships Within the Statute: We will address the relationships of C. 209A § 1.
Protective Zones: Stay away zone—what police need to know to legally enforce a 209A order?
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| CRN # |
Course # |
Fee |
Start |
End |
Day (s) |
Time |
| 15224 |
CWD 456-64 |
$135 |
5/11 |
5/11 |
Tuesday, 1 day |
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. |
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