Sergeant Gary Cederquist, positioned at the center, departs from federal court in Boston on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. The 58-year-old Stoughton resident, along with five accomplices, faces charges in a bribery scheme. According to the U.S. attorney's office, the group is alleged to have accepted bribes, including a new snowblower and driveway, in exchange for providing passing scores on commercial driving tests. (AP Photo/Michael Casey)
In a significant development, the State Police have officially issued a dishonorable discharge to Sergeant Gary Cederquist, who retired from the Department, effective today. The decision comes in the wake of Cederquist’s suspension without pay on Wednesday, following his indictment on federal charges related to a fraudulent conspiracy involving commercial driver licenses.
On Tuesday, Cederquist, along with five other individuals, including former member Trooper Joel Rogers, retired MSP members Calvin Butner and Perry Mendes, and two non-MSP civilians, faced federal charges alleging their involvement in the fraudulent issuance of commercial driver licenses to unqualified applicants.
The State Police, collaborating with federal prosecutors in the investigation, are concurrently conducting an internal inquiry into potential violations of law and policy by those implicated in the scandal.
The fate of the state pensions for the indicted MSP members will be determined by the state Retirement Board, independent of decisions made by the Department.
The investigation into the Commercial Driver Licensing Unit (CDL Unit) dates back to late 2022 when the MSP first became aware of alleged violations of the law and Department policy by its members. In response, the Department promptly initiated an internal investigation and an audit of the unit’s operations.
The audit revealed deficiencies in processes, prompting the State Police to implement substantial reforms in early 2023 aimed at modernizing, increasing internal controls, and enhancing accountability within the CDL Unit. Key reforms include the mandatory use of body-worn cameras for all CDL exams, more frequent unannounced supervisor visits to training sites, and the modernization of record-keeping through electronic documentation and the Department’s online case management system.
Furthermore, the CDL Unit saw the addition of two experienced sergeants, responsible for operational changes that significantly improved efficiency and supervision. A new position overseeing CDL Unit training was created, focusing on scheduling, curriculum, procedures, vehicle acquisition and maintenance, and record-keeping.
The Department also developed new training procedures with defined time frames and standards for both instructors and students. A revised curriculum was established, setting learning benchmarks for each phase of training. Monthly in-service training and annual development programs were modified to ensure continuous improvement and accountability for CDL Unit examiners.
Additional Troopers were recruited, and staff were reassigned to high-demand training sites, resulting in improved public service, reduced scheduling wait times for test-takers, and increased oversight at these locations.
The State Police’s proactive response to the scandal underscores their commitment to upholding the law, maintaining public trust, and ensuring the integrity of their operations. The ongoing collaboration with federal authorities and the comprehensive reforms to the CDL Unit signal a resolute effort to address past shortcomings and prevent future misconduct within the Department.
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