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Clearly, liquor laws are one of the least understood laws in the Commonwealth by law enforcement agencies, yet liquor law violations contribute significantly to a police officer’s work load.  Underage drinking, domestic violence, unwanted guests, pedestrian accidents, car crashes and motor vehicle fatalities not only takes up our time on the street, they take us off the street as well.  While the average officer may react and respond to these calls, preventing them from occurring takes a lot less time and effort. 

In this 3 1/2-hour update, learn about:

Underage Sting Operations

On June 8, 2004, the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) found that the conduct of a “sting” operation in Wareham, MA “was unfair and amounted to entrapment.”  The Commission also disapproved the action of the Local Board in finding the licensee committed a violation.  The Commission remanded the matter to the Local Board with the recommendation that no modification, suspension, revocation or cancellation of the license be ordered by the Local Board.  The Commission further recommended that the Wareham police department develop written sting guidelines prior to the execution of its next sting operation. 

Clearly, this decision will effect every future underage sting operation in the Commonwealth.  In fact, in rejecting a challenge to the legality of the "sting" operations as being in violation of the Fourth Amendment, a Superior Court justice noted that "the development of thorough and detailed guidelines, such as those used by the ABCC, is the preferred practice for implementing sting operations involving minors." Learn what needs to be done in your agency to withstand an appeal overturning your action’s and your local board’s decision. 

Cops in Shops

COPS IN SHOPS is a cooperative program that requires the willing participation of alcoholic beverage retailers. Agents, posing as either employees of the retailer or customers, are stationed inside the retailer's premises to apprehend underage persons when they attempt to buy alcoholic beverages. The agents also have a secondary, educational role, which is to share their expertise with the retailer's employees on such subjects as false or fake ID, the signs of intoxication, and the physical and behavioral characteristics of minors.  But, what challenges may you be faced with?  Does your agency have guidelines as well as policies and procedures for conducting these type of operations.

Last Call Operations

Ever go in a bar and wonder why some people still have drinks in front of them when they can hardly sit on a barstool without falling off? This undercover operation focuses on plainclothes officers working in licensed premises and observing patrons who become intoxicated and who are continued to be served alcoholic beverages.  What needs to be included in your report besides the obvious?  What does your licensing board need to make a suspension stick? Do your powers as an agent of your board extend beyond the bar itself? To the parking lot?

Fake ID's

The vast majority of alcoholic beverage retailers want to do the right thing and avoid sales to underage persons. Youngsters, however, particularly those of college age, can be devious when in pursuit of alcohol. Many don't hesitate to use false or fake ID's, and unfortunately, technological advances have made high quality fake ID's relatively easy to create and even easier to acquire. This segment of the training will point out some of the more obvious flaws in fake ID’s, but not without the use of a magnifying glass. Whether you card someone in a bar, a package store or on the street, are you really sure that their information is correct? This class will let you know if it is bogus or not.

INSTRUCTOR: James Staples,  Supervising Investigator, MA ABCC (Ret.) served as a Boxborough Police Officer for 13 years before accepting a position with the ABCC where he recently retired after 17 years.  As the Supervising Investigator he was responsible for the Statewide enforcement activities of all field investigators, overseeing scheduling, case assignment, planning and implementation of special operations. Mr. Staples has extensive expertise in writing operational plans to effectively deal with underage drinking, the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages to underage patrons, the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages to intoxicated persons and drunk driving, including several that were funded for many years by grants from the Governors Highway Safety Bureau.

We have worked with Jim Staples a good deal over the years.  You would be hard pressed to find someone either more knowledgable or a better speaker.  He is certainly well respected in this topic area.

Captain John W. Newton, Greenfield, MA

Good presentation, a lot of good info.

Det. William Kuck, Grafton, MA

Short, to the point, good examples, videos & well spoken teacher.

Sgt. Timothy Labrie, Northbridge, MA

Very well put together and the presenter was very good!