Head Of MA Environmental Police Suspended, Pending Investigation

BOSTON — Col. James McGinn, the head of the Massachusetts Environmental Police, has been suspended without pay, pending an investigation into. "operational issues."

"Colonel McGinn is currently suspended with out pay pending the completion of an internal review of operational issues at the Massachusetts Environmental Police," said Peter Lorenz, spokesman for the Executive Office of Environmental Affair, in an emailed statement to Patch.

It's unclear what the issues being investigated are.

Lt. Col. Anthony Abdal-Khabir is taking over as acting head of the department.

McGinn was appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker in 2015. Before that he had worked for FEMA since 2006. He was also an attorney for a dozen years, according to his LinkedIn profile. He was a sergeant in the State Police for 23 years before he retired.

The Environmental Police is the primary enforcement agency of the Commonwealth’s boating and recreational vehicle laws and regulations, according to the government website. They're also responsible for enforcing laws around of fish and game, including the commercial and recreational harvest of the living marine resources along the coastline.

Image courtesy MA Environmental Police