Mass. Gen. Laws » Part IV Title I Chapter 268
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 268, § 24 (2026)

Neglect or refusal to assist officer or watchman

✓ text as last checked Sept. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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Section 24. Whoever, being required in the name of the commonwealth by a sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, police officer or watchman, neglects or refuses to assist him in the execution of his office in a criminal case, in the preservation of the peace or in the apprehension or securing of a person for a breach of the peace, or in a case of escape or rescue of persons arrested upon civil process, shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one month.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 1989–1997 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Howe, 540 N.E.2d 677 (Mass. 1989).
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Commonwealth v. Howe, 540 N.E.2d 677 (Mass. 1989). · cites it 2× “" See G.L.c. 268, § 24 (1986 ed.), which makes it a crime to refuse to aid a sheriff *335 to secure a person for a breach of the peace.”
Commonwealth v. Morrissey, 660 N.E.2d 376 (Mass. 1996). · cites it 2× “” The Commonwealth’s argument from G. L. c. 268, § 24 (1994 ed.), was raised for the first time on appeal.”
LaRossa v. Dupont, 6 Mass. L. Rptr. 694 (Mass. Super. Ct. 1997). · cites it 2× “37, §13 and G.L.c. 268, §24. 6 Although the complaint is unclear, it appears that LaRossa is alleging that his “[s]ubstantive due process rights were violated by the police officers when the defendants interfered with LaRossa’s discharge of his duties as a deputy sheriff at the…”
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