CANTON – State Trooper Michael Proctor was “relieved of duty” Monday and will be transferred out of the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office State Police Detective Unit.
Proctor will be transferred from the state attorney general's detective unit on Sunday, July 7, following the state police collective bargaining agreement, which requires five days' notice for new work assignments.
Case lead investigator Karen Read 'relieved of duties'
State police said the decision is separate from the ongoing internal investigation. Proctor has been placed on leave, meaning that while he is technically on the force and being paid, he is not allowed to function as a state trooper.
There are four options following the disciplinary hearing.
- He could be reinstated.
- He could be suspended with pay.
- He could be suspended without pay.
- May receive restricted assignments.
Proctor cannot be fired as a result of the hearing. He can resign his position.
No date has been set for the hearing.
Who is Michael Proctor?
Proctor was the lead investigator on the Karen Read case for the Norfolk County District Attorney. He has been on the force for about 10 years.
Read's lawyers have accused him of covering for witnesses who are also his friends and of planting evidence. He says he is not guilty of any crime. The defense has also questioned the relationship Proctor and his wife had with Canton Selectman Christopher Albert and his wife. Christopher Albert he is the brother of retired Boston police officer Brian Albert, who owned the house where O'Keefe's body was found in 2022.
Proctor has denied all allegations of bias and wrongdoing.
Proctor's testimony during Karen Read's trial
Proctor testified for the prosecution during the trial. Seve text messages during their investigation of Karen Read were read aloud in court.
“These juvenile and unprofessional comments have no impact on the facts and evidence and the integrity of this investigation,” Proctor stated.
A message sent to his wife read: “waiting to close work.” Another in his heads as he went through Read's phone said, “No knots so far.” He also sent a message to his sister, “we hope she kills herself.”
Gov. Maura Healey said she was “disgusted” over the text messages and said Proctor's messages could damage police work in Massachusetts.
