New England Police Benevolent Association

Legal Updates

MAJOR SUPREME COURT CASE ON SUPPRESSION OF EVIDENCE

The Supreme Court issued a major decision, holding that evidence seized in a search that violated the "knock and announce" rule did not need to be suppressed at trial. Hudson v. Michigan.. (complete document)

Supreme Court strengthens protection for employees objecting to discrimination.

The Supreme Court recently issued an important decision emphasizing that employees who object to discrimination under federal anti-discrimination statutes are protected not only from suspensions or demotions, but also from other actions that would intimidate a reasonable worker into not objecting to discrimination. (complete document)

SUPREME COURT ISSUES IMPORTANT DECISION REINFORCING OFFICERS RIGHTS TO PAY FOR PRE-SHIFT WORK

The Supreme Court recently issued a decision in an FLSA case that should solidify officers rights to pay for work before and after the official start of a work shift. (complete document)

Fair Internal Affairs Investigations: Getting Management on Your Side

Several recent cases and law review articles highlight the importance of ensuring that internal investigations of officers are done fairly, with an eye toward finding the truth and not just prosecuting the officer. From the point of view of the officers, the need for a fair investigation is obvious,... (complete document)

Summary Of LEO First Amendment Rights

The Supreme Court has held that individuals retain their Constitutional Rights when they become law enforcement officers. This includes the First Amendment Right to freedom of speech. While there are some restrictions on officers free speech rights while employed by a law enforcement agency, officers continue be protected by the First Amendment in many areas. (complete document)

Gary G. Nolan, ESQ

Gary Nolan attended the New England School of Law in Boston. He graduated in the top 5% of his class and served as a Staff Editor for the New England Law Review. Attorney Nolan graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, where he was Captain of the Wrestling Team in 1991. He is a member of the Greater Lowell Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, Association of Trial Lawyers of America and Massachusetts Conveyancers Association. Attorney Nolan represents clients, both plaintiffs and defendants, in all Courts and Administrative Agencies in Massachusetts. Mr. Nolan appears often before both the Massachusetts Civil Service and Labor Relations Commissions, prosecuting cases on behalf of Police Officers. In 1999-2000, Mr. Nolan successfully defended a Police Officer in the longest and most widely publicized sexual harassment case ever appealed to the Civil Service Commission. Gary grew up in Lowell, Massachusetts and graduated from Lowell High School. He lives in Chelmsford with his wife and daughter.

Peter J. Perroni, ESQ.

Peter Perroni graduated first in his class from the New England School of Law in Boston where he received received the Amos L. Taylor Award for academic excellence, and gave the valedictory address at the graduation of his class. During law school, Mr. Perroni received American Jurisprudence Book Awards in Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure and Constitutional Law. Following law school, Peter served as Law Clerk to the Hon. Caroline Glassman of the Maine Supreme Court. His practice areas include Union-Side Labor Law, Civil and Appellate Litigation and Real Estate. Mr. Perroni has successfully tried civil jury cases in Federal and State Courts and regularly represents clients regarding labor issues pending before State Agencies. His reported cases include Bennett ex rel. Estate of Bennett v. F.B.I., 278 F.Supp.2d 104 (D.Mass. 2003) and Costa v. Commissioner of Correction, 56 Mass.App.Ct. 42 (2002). Mr. Perroni is a member of the faculty at the New England School of Law where he teaches Legal Research and Writing. He is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire. Mr. Perroni received his undergraduate degree from Colby College where he was a member of the Football and Lacrosse teams. He enjoys cooking, racquetball, golf and skiing. Mr. Perroni was raised and lives in southern New Hampshire.