BPD could finally gain formal approval to patrol the Seaport

Gov. Baker and the new head of the State Police, Col. Kerry Gilpin, today announced a series of reforms stemming from all the recent State Police scandals, including the elimination of a State Police troop for just the Massachusetts Turnpike. Also:

Governor Baker is requesting that, as part of this study [of the role of Troop F at Logan], the Colonel looks at a plan for the Boston Police Department and State Police to work together to ensure the safety of the Seaport District.

Boston officials have been trying for years, with a complete lack of success, to give Boston police officers the formal right to patrol and respond to 911 calls in the waterfront areas still technically under Massport jurisdiction, now that pricey condos and apartments and upscale hotels and restaurants have replaced what used to be parking lots and maritime warehouses. BPD has argued it makes sense to bring its expertise in community policing to what is now a community; State Police have countered with: Yeah, tough.

State Police managed to fend off BPD moves in the state legislature - which must approve the sort of joint jurisdiction BPD and State Police have everywhere else - in part over the issue of details, which have led to the sorts of Troop F overtime pay that make the front page of the Herald.

Also announced today: State Police will look to pilot the use of body cameras, based on a yearlong pilot of body cameras by Boston Police.