Freetown - Police Officer
Job Overview
Department:
Freetown Police Department
Type:Entry Level
Certified
Job Title:Police Officer
Registration Fee:$35.00
Contact:blevesque@freetownpolice.org
Location:
Freetown, MA
Important Links:
Job Announcement
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FREETOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT WRITTEN EXAMINATION POLICE OFFICER |
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BASE SALARY: $52,000 to $66,768, commensurate with qualified full-time police officer experience.
EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Yes. In addition to base salary, qualified criminal justice graduates receive 10% for an associate’s degree, 20% for a bachelor’s degree and 25% for a master’s degree.
SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL: Yes. Employees assigned to the evening and overnight shifts receive differential pay.
POSTING DATE: 12/15/22
LAST DATE FOR FILING: 02/08/23 11:59 PM
EXAM DATE: 02/18/23
DESCRIPTION: POLICE OFFICER
APPLICANTS MUST REGISTER ONLINE AT: http://www.policeapp.com/FreetownMA
EXAMINATION:
This examination is being held to establish an eligible list from which to fill Police Officer vacancies in the Freetown Police Department. The initial online registration fee is $35.00. A check or money order in the amount of $25.00 made payable to the company providing the exam will be due at the time of the exam.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Police Officers work under supervision to perform law enforcement duties, protecting life, property, and the civil rights of individuals. Primary duties include patrol; interacting with citizens to provide service and render assistance; and preparing and completing records, reports, and other paperwork documenting incidents for use in prosecution. Police Officers are dispatched to crime and emergency scenes in response to reported violations, accidents, domestic disputes and abuses, and other incidents; carry out crime scene duties; make arrests and perform searches and seizures; conduct investigations; and interview witnesses, suspects, and complainants.
ELIGIBILITY:
- Age. To be eligible for this examination the applicant must be at least 20 years of age at the time of the exam date and must be at least 21 years of age at the time of the appointment as a police officer.
- Police Academy. Pursuant to applicable Massachusetts law, all applicants are appointed as student officers while attending the police recruit academy. Upon the successful completion of certain required conditions of employment and graduation from the police recruit academy, an applicant will be appointed as a regular full-time police officer, subject to a one-year probationary period pursuant to M.G.L. Ch. 41, § 133.
- Education. As of the date of appointment, candidates must have either: a high school diploma or equivalency certificate approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education.
- Residency. Pursuant to M.G.L. Ch. 41 § 99A, any member of the regular police department of a city or town shall reside within fifteen miles of the limits of said city or town.
- Salary. After successful completion of his/her academy training as a Student Officer, compensation shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Current base salary range is $52,000 to $66,768, commensurate with qualified full-time police officer experience.
- Educational Incentive. After successful completion of his/her academy training as a Student Officer, in addition to base salary, qualified criminal justice graduates receive 10% for an associate’s degree, 20% for a bachelor’s degree and 25% for a master’s degree.
- Shift Differential. After successful completion of his/her academy training as a Student Officer, employees assigned to the evening and overnight shifts receive differential pay.
EXAMINATION PROCESS:
- Examination Process. The process shall involve a written examination, recommendation of the Chief of Police, and one or more oral interview boards, in accordance with applicable department policies. The purpose of this process is to establish a list of eligible candidates to fill one or more positions that may become available.
Please note that candidates much achieve a passing score of 70% or greater on the written examination for further consideration. - How to Apply. All applicants must register online at: http://www.policeapp.com
- Fees. An initial application fee of $35.00 will be assessed at the time a candidate registers online. An additional fee of $25.00 will be assessed at a later time for the administration of the written examination.
- No Makeup Exam. Unless otherwise provided by law, no candidate has a right to a makeup examination due to personal or professional conflicts on the testing dates. Candidates are advised to consider this before applying for the examination. If you file an examination application by the application deadline but are unable to appear for the examination on the examination date due to an emergency or unanticipated hardship, you may request a makeup examination by filing a written request with verifiable documentation to the Chief of Police, Freetown Police Department, 15 Memorial Drive East Freetown, MA 02717, no later than seven calendar days from the original written examination date. The Department reserves the right to approve or deny your request. The Department may require an additional examination processing fee upon approval of your request.
- Reasonable Accommodations. If you need special testing accommodations due to a documented impairment, you must submit a letter of support from a qualified professional detailing what type of accommodation you require at the examination site, and such letter must be the Chief of Police, Freetown Police Department, 15 Memorial Drive East Freetown, MA 02717. Without such a letter, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to grant your accommodation. This information is requested only to provide reasonable accommodation for examinations and will not be used for any other purposes.
- Identification at the Examination Site. At the examination site, candidates must present current and valid photo identification with signature (e.g., driver's license, passport, military ID).
- Refunds. There will be no refund of the examination processing fee unless the examination is cancelled by the Department.
- Private School or Service. The Department does not recommend or endorse any private school, service, or publisher offering preparation and/or publications for examinations and is not responsible for their advertising claims.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Police candidates who pass the written examination and receive a conditional offer of employment from the Department will be instructed on how to apply for the Physical Ability Test (PAT) and other screening processes. Questions about qualifications listed below should be directed to the Department.
- Medical Examination. All candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment must pass the medical examination. Candidates must pass the medical examination before participating in the PAT. The Medical Standards are available for review on the Mass. civil service website: https://www.mass.gov/guides/schedule-physical-ability-test-pat-for-fire-and-police-departments
- Psychological Testing. Candidates will be required to pass a psychological evaluation before appointment.
- Physical Ability Test (PAT). The PAT is a test of the candidate's aerobic capacity and physical capability to perform various tasks required on the job. The PAT Preparation Guide is available on the Mass. civil service website: https://www.mass.gov/guides/examination-preparation-guides-and-reading-lists
- Fitness Test. Candidates are required to successfully complete an entry level fitness assessment that includes, among other elements, sit-ups, push-ups, 300-meter run, and 1.5-mile run. For more information visit the Mass. Police Training Committee’s website. See: http://mptctraining.com/roclessons/P_H&WPrepGuide.pdf
- Academy Training. All candidates appointed as a full-time Police Officer as a result of this examination will be required to successfully complete police academy training per M.G.L. Chapter 41, § 96B. For more information visit the Municipal Police Training Committee website.
- Smoking Prohibition. In accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 41, § 101A, candidates hired from the Police Officer eligible list resulting from this examination are prohibited from smoking tobacco products at the time of and after appointment.
- Character. A candidate may be disqualified for evidence of character clearly unsuited for police services. The Department performs a comprehensive background check as part of the selection process.
- Firearms Permit. A candidate must obtain a valid firearms permit to perform the essential duties of a Police Officer in Massachusetts.
- Driver's License. A candidate shall need a valid Massachusetts motor vehicle operator's license before appointment.
- Job Interview. The Departments will conduct an oral interview prior to appointment.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE:
All candidates must comply with the Department’s policy regarding tattoos, body art, brands or scarifications prior to appointment. No candidate with a tattoo, body art, brand or scarification on his or her face, neck or hands (wrist to fingertips) shall be appointed. Note: this prohibition does not include permanent commitment bands on the hand(s) or permanent eyeliner, eyebrows or lipstick as long as the permanent color is conservative and compliments the complexion and uniform. Further, extremist tattoos, scarifications and/or brands, such as those affiliated with, depicting and/or symbolizing extremist philosophies, organizations or activities are strictly prohibited. Extremist philosophies, organizations and activities are those which advocate racial, gender and/or ethnic hatred or intolerance; advocate, create or engage in illegal discrimination based on race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or national origin; and/or advocate violence or other unlawful means of depriving individual rights under the U.S. Constitution, federal or state law. Candidates under consideration for appointment shall be screened to determine if their tattoos, body art, scarifications and/or brands comply with Department policy. Candidates for appointment who do not meet the policy requirement will be advised of their options for becoming compliant when a determination of non-compliance has been made.
LATERAL TRANSFERS:
Although the Department is not within the Mass. civil service system, police officers from other agencies are encouraged to apply. The Department, in its sole discretion, may adjust entry level salary and vacation time based upon a candidate’s years of continuous full-time service as a police officer.
THE TOWN OF FREETOWN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Please direct questions regarding this position to blevesque@freetownpolice.org
Jobs close at 11:59 PM (Eastern) on the deadline date specified, or when the position capacity has been met, or unless otherwise specified in the announcement. If the deadline date is not specified in the announcement, the agency has sole discretion on setting the deadline and jobs may close without notice. It is the applicant's responsibility to thoroughly read and understand the deadline requirements and capacity limits as outlined by the agency.
Applicants are responsible for checking their email and logging into their PoliceApp, PublicSafetyApp, FireFighterApp or EmployementApp account to monitor for emails, scheduling and process updates.