Page 6 - FE Blue Summer 2019 Final

A Year After Springfield Opens,

an Encore Role for

Gaming Unit in Everett

Members of the Gaming Enforcement Unit-Everett stand on the grounds of
Encore Boston Harbor.

n a warm, sunny afternoon in late spring, at facilities once they opened.
numerous dignitaries, casino executives,
and civic officials gathered on the glistening “Our paramount responsibility at the Gaming
Obank of the Mystic River in Everett for a Commission is to protect the integrity and ensure the
press conference announcing the opening of the safety of our gaming facilities,” said Massachusetts
Encore Boston Harbor resort casino. Gaming Commission Chairwoman Cathy Judd-Stein.
“The Gaming Enforcement Unit is critical to that
Also present was a healthy contingent of effort, providing the day-to-day vigilance and policing
Massachusetts State Police commanders and required to ensure the public’s confidence in the
members of the department’s Gaming Enforcement Commonwealth’s nascent gaming industry. I want
Unit. Just off shore, two MSP Marine Unit vessels to commend the GEU for its continued commitment
anchored next to the casino’s own luxury water to the highest standards and for prioritizing strong
shuttle. Troopers were joined by their partners in the collaboration with all law enforcement partners.”
Everett Police Department, who serve on the MSP
GEU unit at Encore. It was an auspicious opening for The Massachusetts State Police created the Gaming
an important new component of MSP’s mission. Enforcement Unit in November 2012. Since that time,
as new gambling facilities opened in Plainville, then
When the state passed legislation in 2011 authorizing Springfield last summer, and now in Everett, the unit
construction of several casinos and slot parlors, it was has grown to its current complement of more than 60
evident that a new mission also had been created for MSP Troopers and local police officers from the three
the Massachusetts State Police. communities.

Under the Special Services Section, the State Police The GEU Boston office is the headquarters for the
historically had a role in enforcing laws at the state’s unit and is located in the Financial District of Boston at
racetracks, but the casino legislation would clearly 101 Federal Street. Housed within the Investigations
require a new and specialized unit to, first, conduct and Enforcement Bureau of the Massachusetts
background investigations on the companies and Gaming Commission, the GEU is led by Detective
investors who wanted a piece of the gaming pie in Lieutenant Brian Connors and Executive Officer
Massachusetts, and subsequently, to enforce criminal Lieutenant Michael Banks, and further consists of one
law and preserve the integrity of the gaming operation Sergeant and four Troopers. (Continued)

6 French and Electric Blue