A Massachusetts police union said on Friday that dozen of state troopers have resigned over a COVID vaccine mandate for state workers.
The mandate requires state workers to get the vaccine shot by October 17 or may face termination from their jobs.
A lawsuit was filed by The State Police Association of Massachusetts - a union that represents 1,800 officers - in an attempt to delay the mandate enforced by Republican Governor Charlie Baker. That suit was thrown out Thursday.
'Many of these troopers are going to be returning to their previous municipal police departments within the state that allow for regular testing and masks,' SPAM president Michael Cherven said.
'To date, dozens of troopers have already submitted their resignation paperwork.'
A lawsuit was filed by the State Police Association of Massachusetts in an attempt to delay the vaccine mandate being enforced in the state, but was thrown out
Governor Charlie Baker enforced the mandate requiring state workers to get vaccinated by October 17 or face disciplinary action
Cherven added: 'Throughout COVID, we have been on the front lines protecting the citizens of Massachusetts and beyond.
'Simply put, all we are asking for are the same basic accommodations that countless other departments have provided to their first responders, and to treat a COVID related illness as a line of duty injury.'
The request was denied by Judge Jackie Cowin of the Massachusetts Supreme Court on Thursday.
'Specifically, the public interest is, unquestionably, best served by stopping the spread of the virus, in order to protect people from becoming ill,
