Massachusetts

Mass. State Police 2nd-in-Command Retires After Chief Leaves

What to Know

  • Mass. State Police Deputy Superintendent Francis Hughes is stepping down after Col. Richard McKeon retired.
  • The announcements of Hughes and McKeon came two state police troopers accused top commanders of forcing them to alter police reports.
  • A lawsuit filed by a trooper says a daughter of a district court judge allegedly made inappropriate statements that he was ordered to delete

Massachusetts State Police Deputy Superintendent Francis Hughes is stepping down after Col. Richard McKeon retired in the wake of claims that troopers were forced to alter arrest reports.

According to state police, the second-in-command generally steps down after the superintendent leaves their position to allow the new superintendent to choose their own second-in-command.

In a statement, state police said Hughes "served honorably in numerous postings, including nearly 20 years in the Gang Unit, an important period at the State Police Academy, and several years as a deputy commander in the Division of Investigative Services.” 

McKeon's retirement came after two state police troopers accused commanders of forcing them to alter police reports.

Trooper Ryan Sceviour filed a lawsuit stemming from an incident in October when he arrested Alli Bibaud on drunk driving charges in Worcester. The daughter of District Court Judge Tim Bibaud, she allegedly made inappropriate statements, according to the original police report.

Sceviour said he was ordered to delete inappropriate remarks about sex acts and drugs Bibaud allegedly made.

Trooper Ali Rei also filed a similar lawsuit accusing commanders of forcing her to alter a police report.

The Massachusetts Attorney General is investigating to see if anything criminal may have taken place, as there are allegations public records may have been destroyed.

Gov. Charlie Baker will name a new state police superintendent. According to the state police trooper's union, Lt. Colonel Dermot Quinn is the temporary leader.

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