As part of a master plan to consolidate law enforcement in Massachusetts, the Registry's Law Enforcement Section merged with three other agencies; Massachusetts State Police, Capital Police and MDC Police on July 1,1992
making a new Department of State Police Force of over 2400
9-11
Never Forget
Our expertise was Motor Vehicle Law and Accident Investigation.
We were called on by many police departments across the state to assist
with enforcement and accident investigations.
April 1907 signified a new course of action for the Massachusetts Highway Commission.
In the interest of safety, the first two examiners, Fred Austin and Chauncy Hubbell
were hired to test all applicants requesting a chauffeur's license. Austin tested in Boston and
surrounding communities, while Hubbell conducted exams in other locations in the state
travelling to distant points by train and staying over night when necessary
in order to conduct these exams.
In 1908, Colonel Foote and Paul Weinert were appointed as investigators of "fatal accidents"
In 1912, the first civil service examination was given for the position of examiner and
for the first time, a badge was issued to the examiner to identify his position.
The badge had a silver background with the word "Inspector" across the top as seen to the left.
Throughout this site, the history, pictures and various information attributed to the Registry Inspector is displayed, so that those who
served will not forget, or what they did will not be forgotten.
Listen as
Frank McCone talks
briefly about the
history of the inspector beginning in the 1940's
Since 1907 up and until 1992, Inspectors served the residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Registry of Motor Vehicles with pride and distinction. Attempts to eliminate Registry Inspectors using statements such as it would "eliminate duplication and result in overall cost savings and improve law enforcement " resulted in the merging of four law enforcement organizations !
We continue to see the Registry attempting to recreate the position of "inspector".
While it is flattering, will it once again be a duplication of law enforcement ?
The last change accomplished in 2007 removed
law enforcement from school bus inspections !
While changes continue to be made at the Registry, the loss of the knowledge
base on motor vehicle laws and regulations remains a constant problem.
A recent visit to the registry to renew a license, a "former inspector" asked
the clerk, do you remember Registry Inspectors ?
Her reply was NO !
This is why the
book was written.
Each page plays with music and may restart after clicking on and off pictures
Effective
October 1, 2008 commercial vehicles, trailers, and converter dollies will be subject
to enhanced
MA CMV Inspection !
With change comes change.The years of study and experience by these Inspectors on motor vehicle laws and regulations, and what they brought to RMV continues to disappear with each passing day.
We continue to see uniformed Registry "Safety Inspectors" appear on
television news segments doing what we as Inspectors did best , but wearing
uniform coveralls and windbreakers. Many of us can remember how we had
difficulty in getting these items !
In 2008, we see another story regarding the Registry of Motor Vehicles telephone call wait times. Maybe some day someone will get it, that adequate staffing will do the job. But then again, they did not
believe us when we said it !
It is apparent that the state still did not get it, that it cannot afford
to lose any more knowledgeable people, and still continue
to operate effectively sadly no more inspectors are left at the RMV !
Retired and Former Inspectors part of a proud law enforcement organization, left only with memories of the good ,the bad,
Did you know that you now can get your MA driving record online !
Thought to be
Registry Office
Beverly
Inspector
James Delaney
Picture taken at
a section meeting
Inspectors from left to right Peter Bartolo; Ralph Scopa
Alan Boyd and Santo Rizzotto
1970 Graduation
Inspector Alan Boyd
giving an eye exam to
Governor Frank Sargent,
while the Registrar looks on
1970
Graduation
Press Release
Inspector
Albert W. Fontes
Inspector
John Nason
on enforcement
Inspector
Thomas Frydryk
Inspector
Ralph Scopa
Inspector
James Leatherwood
Inspector
Richard LaBonte
Inspector Charles Florentino
Inspector's Outing
Boston Harbor
August 1916
1950's Picture
Inspector
William Minear
Inspector
Bob Gallagher
(seated)
1953
Group Picture
Nashua Street
Radar
Enforcement
Registrar and Inspector
Robert Panora
and Staff
Governor
John Volpe
with Inspectors
at graduation
Group picture 1972
Inspector
John McGrath
From left to right
Dick Moulison,
Larry Massone,
Bob Gallagher
Bill Sisson and
Dick Smith
At various times Inspectors like these pictured above would attend a 3 week Accident Investigation course at Northwestern University
in Illinois
Actual final
identification card
Inspector
Arthur Sheldon
As of March 2, 2010 older drivers will have to be eye tested to keep their driver licenses !
Inspector
Ralph Tamulinas
Labor Day
Enforcement
Inspector
William Sahovey
Inspector
Ralph Tamulinas
The state and the registry finally realized they could not function without inspectors.
It is obvious that the state made a mistake when they moved to consolidate highly trained and effective law enforcement officers with other law enforcement agencies, thinking they could save money !
Well they didn't and in fact lost
a lot of revenue.
"A Former Inspector"
Inspector
Joe Champagne
Registry Inspectors
attending Skid School
Governor
Michael Dukakis and his wife greet Inspectors
George Haratounian and Paul Greaney
Inspector
George Haroutunian
the General
Inspector
Robert Vassallo
Inspector
Vincent Strothers
Inspector
David Dennon
Inspector
Marcia Scully
The announcement
of the END
Inspector
Lisa Washington
Inspector
George Sedares
Inspector
Ed Woodsum
Inspector
Joe Grant
Inspector
Brian Kelley
Inspector
Richard Larnard
Inspector
Paul Loud
As of July 1, 2010 only two hearings officers were left at the RMV and who had any
law enforcement experience, all
are gone.
Inspector
Marino Mavraides
Inspector
Edward F. McMorrow
Inspector
Robert Pillsbury
Inspector
John A. Smith
Inspector
James Stanley
Inspector
Wesley Carr
Inspector John Fraser
Inspector
Francis Desjeans
Haverhill Branch
Inspectors with
Registrar Alan Mackay
Inspector
James Lineen
Inspector
Peter Doherty
Inspector
Tom Templeton
Effective Oct 1, 2010, you can not text and drive in MA