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Updated 2/21/24
All contents (C) 2008-2024 MMVIA
 Remember the Registry Police 
"We Were The Best"
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, 
but certainly not the ugly.
         Memory
 Window Decal
  An early 
   "Badge"
It has been 
over 30 + years  
since the merge 
   If you know about any
     inspector, please
          let us know.
   email the webmaster @
Links to various 
law enforcement 
related sites

National Law Enforcement Memorial
info@nleomf.org

Massachusetts 
State Police

MDC-Remember Webpage

Massachusetts
Registry of Motor Vehicles

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
Stand by for more 
new laws !
       Inspector
Charles E. Peck
Inspector 
James Ryan
Summary of new LEOSA Law  
suggested changes
Inspector
William Sisson
Inspector 
William Sisson
Inspectors with 
Office Staff
Fatal Accident Investigation
Inspector 
Edgar Campana
Inspectors with
 the Governor
Inspectors with the Governor in Zone 1
Legislative Update
 Inspector 
Erik Singer
 The list updated    for 2011
Inspector
Patrick O'Brien
 Old patch
  Topsfield Academy             Class 1967
Any message that you post is  reviewed and may  be removed
      While we did not agree with the need to MERGE, we still are proud 
       of what we did back then, and during and after and still do now. 
Listen Here
  Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Inspectors Association
1907
1992
        31 years later, we still remember !
      Inspector 
Derrill Demarino

Actual radio room General Broadcast (A)
Radio Final 
Sign Off (B)

Registry Inspectors
Ray Scanzani seated center -others unknown ?
Inspector 
James Hogan
Inspector 
David Gayle
Inspector
Donald Fisher
A
 B

Inspector 
Rick Heugel
    in his own words 
just over 3 min long

Lt. John Cushman at the Kingston Police Station dedication ceremony 1986
Always fly the American Flag
Let no one take that right away !
        Inspector
     Gus Cassaro
    Inspector 
   Jay Arrow
  Inspector 
 Paul Pinto
Special Investigative Unit 1992
Inspectors 
Villa and Mullay
New Inspectors January 1985
1987 Fatal Team
NEVER FORGET
This site is dedicated to all Former and Retired Registry Inspectors 
We are in the process of moving this site to the above.
Auto Theft Task 
Force Members
   Registry Inspectors
Minear, Massone
Youngclaus and Burr
Inspector William Sisson
(behind wheel)
Accident
 Recon Team
Last Inspectors listings by work assignment
after review
2
are still on the job !
Guess who
Nashua Street 
Inspector Joe Hourihan
pictured here with a 1960 
Plymouth Savoy RMV Cruiser
1979 Fall River RMV
Inspectors Jim Ryan, Bill Grady,
Richard Mott, Joe Macedo and
Paul Pinto 
Asst Supervising Inspector Bill Grady
 Above left to right:
 Bill Grady, Joe Macedo and Dave Dennen
​            1981
Milton Bednarz,
Harold Hart and
 Bill Grady look over a new inspection sticker
        Inspector
Lynn Lewandowski
 Defective
 Equipment 
VIN questions ?
  Massachusetts State Police
 Museum
www.mspmlc.org
Inspector 
Jeanne Aiello
   Inspector 
Craig Gurney
  Inspector 
William Bond
July 3rd 1956 Inspector William E, Randall with unidentified Inspector on enforcement
 Inspectors
 Robinson 
Tzitzon
 1984
Tpr Robert Turner
 Former Registry.Inspector
31 yrs since the 
    "MERGE"

Available now on Amazon
in ​Ebook and Soft Cover
 The History of the Massachusetts 
Registry of Motor Vehicle Registry Inspector

AVAILABLE IN EBOOK and SOFTCOVER
thru AMAZON
    Inspector 
Kathy Makros
Insp Dave Malloy
Insp Robert Smith
 Lt. Richard Cochrane
 Special Thanks      to Bob Bower 
on his recreation 
 Inspector 
Anthony Rolli
Inspector
 Eugene Fulmine
   Inspector
 Joe Tetrault
  Inspector Regina
Thomas Thompson
Writing this book of our history was a challenge for me.

Several key inspectors names and my lack of acknowledgement of them in the book, 
 is unfortunate.
Some names come to mind; 
John Nason
George Haroutunian
Herb Burr and Eugene Lavigne
see document to left
for a complete listing.
Radio interviews

Please email mail with any issues re book !
jimtzitzon@gmail.com
Eff 4/8/2023 motorist need
 to give vulnerable
(people,bikes,etc).
at least 4 feet
    NEW LAW APRIL 2023
Pictures and information on this site are courtesy of the MMVIA and Former and Retired Inspectors.
 Inspector
 Eugene. Lavigne
Inspector
 John Bianco
A lot went on during the MERGE
     Names
 missed thru     oversight
   Inspector 
Mal Andrews
Inspector
 Richard Felton
Original Unit Patch
This site is transferring to a new site   www.mviaregistryinspector.org