WARE, Mass. (WWLP) – The State Ethics Commission has determined that the Ware Police chief violated the conflict of interest law following a series of posts he made on the department’s official Facebook page.
Gov. Healey strongly opposes challenge to new gun reform law Police Chief Shawn Crevier stands by the four individual posts he made calling out the
state’s gun reform laws saying that they do nothing to protect public safety.
On Wednesday, the State Ethics Commission found reasonable cause that Ware Police Chief Shawn Crevier used his official position and public resources to advocate against gun law reform legislation.
Chief Shawn Crevier, of the Ware Police Department, told 22News, “I didn’t really think much of it. My intent was to inform the public on this and there was no ill will on this whatsoever.”
In a statement shared with 22News the Commission says in part, “In short, you used the WPD Facebook page to rally political opposition to the bill based on your personal view that it would improperly limit your and other gun owners’ Second Amendment rights.”
Chief Crevier added, “Unfortunately, this bill that has been adopted does nothing but penalize the law-abiding citizens that legally seek to own guns in the state of Massachusetts.”
The statements made violated the conflict of interest law because they included the chief’s personal opinions on matters outside of the WPD’s purview, such as the legality and constitutionality of the proposed gun law reforms.
Massachusetts Gun Reform (H.4885)
A new wide-spanning gun reform bill is the most expansive firearm legislation in a decade and looks to crack down on ghost guns, expand the law that allows courts to take guns away from those considered a threat, and add schools, government buildings, and polling places to the list of areas where firearms are prohibited.
The issue of ghost guns is particularly prevalent in western Massachusetts. Ghost guns, which are homemade firearms that are assembled from individual parts that are unserialized, are currently untraceable by law enforcement.
Gun owners and advocates have also filed initial signatures with Secretary Bill Galvin’s office to challenge the law on the 2026 ballot, and are on track to have the law put on hold until after a public vote is taken.
However, Crevier believes that it does not hold offenders accountable, “I believe it truly misses the mark that would protect the public.”
Massachusetts House and Senate reach deal on firearm law State Ethics Commission determination
The Commission decided to resolve the matter with a Public Education Letter because the conflict of interest law’s application to political activity by public employees is quote “complex” and “easily misunderstood.”
The letter’s purpose is to provide public employees in similar circumstances with a clearer understanding of how to comply with the law.
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