Commissioner of Probation John J. O’Brien and representatives from the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), the governing body for high school athletics in Massachusetts, entered an historic alliance this week that will enhance sportsmanship and safety at high school Superbowl games throughout the state.
This new effort is called the Probation Enhancing Athletic Climate Excellence or PEACE Partnership Community Probation Initiative. PEACE is the brainchild of Steve Fratalia, Director of Resource Management at the Office of the Commissioner of Probation and former Suffolk County and Norfolk County Juvenile Probation Officer, and Norfolk County Chief Probation Officer Thomas Mitchell.
Under the PEACE Partnership, Probation Officers will maintain a presence at each of the 25 football tournament games, which take place November 30th to December 4th this year at 11 stadiums throughout Massachusetts. The Probation Officers will serve as integral members of a tournament safety team that will include site supervisors, school administrators, teachers, stadium security personnel and local police. The high school Superbowl games are the highlight of the local football season.
"This partnership underscores our commitment to the community and public safety. We are in the community day and night. The presence of a Probation Officer at these events will serve as a deterrent to potential violent behavior. Probation Officers, pursuant to their statutory authority, may issue warrants based upon probable cause that a violation of probation has occurred. This provides the court with an opportunity to address the probationer’s failure to follow a court order in a swift and certain manner," said Commissioner O’Brien.
Richard Neal, MIAA Executive Director, said of the partnership, "This agreement closes the circle for us. We are committed to a healthy and safe sporting environment. Having Probation Officers present will discourage disruptive behavior and unsportsmanlike conduct of spectators."
The Massachusetts Probation Service is a department of the Massachusetts Trial Court. There are 12 Superior Court, 62 District Court, eight Boston Municipal Court, and 12 Probate and Family Court probation departments throughout the Commonwealth. Probation’s Juvenile Court System includes 11 divisions which represent every county in the state. There are 21 Community Corrections Centers throughout the state.
The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association is a private, non-profit association organized by its member schools to regulate, coordinate, and promote athletic programs for high school students. Its 358 member schools coordinate athletic events for the nearly 200,000 high school students who participate in sports. It receives no state funding, but generates operating revenue through dues, sponsorships, and ticket sales at regional and state tournaments.