Overview
- Read filed the lawsuit in Bristol County Superior Court on June 4, 2026, seeking damages and to hold the Massachusetts State Police and the Canton Police Department accountable for negligent hiring, supervision, and training.
- The court filing attaches thousands of messages and audio between former State Trooper Michael Proctor and former Canton Sgt. Sean Goode that Read's lawyers say include racist, sexist, antisemitic and homophobic language and examples of investigative bias.
- Proctor was fired in March 2025 after a State Police trial board found he violated department rules and his law enforcement certification was later suspended by the state POST commission.
- Goode resigned effective June 2 while on paid leave during an internal affairs probe that Canton officials say will be completed and forwarded to the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission for review.
- The suit arrives after Read was acquitted of murder and manslaughter last year and it intensifies ongoing civil litigation and oversight scrutiny, with likely next steps including POST decisions, town responses, and further court proceedings that could affect policing practices and public trust.