I have spoken to many BSU Criminal Justice majors over the years that have expressed an interest in becoming a Police Officer in the state of Massachusetts. Other than seeking a degree in Criminal Justice, it is unclear to many what steps are needed to make their dream a reality. 

First and foremost, you will want to sign up, complete, and pass the civil service entry level police exam. For departments following the civil service process, the civil service exam is required of those who are interested in becoming correctional officers, fire fighters, or police officers in the state of Massachusetts. The Civil Service Examination Schedule is provided on the official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The civil service entry level police exam occurs once annually. Keep in mind that you are required to be a minimum of 19 years old to apply for the exam and no more than 39 years old on the date of your examination. Massachusetts residency is not required to take the exam.  

After passing the civil service exam, candidates will be placed on the eligible list along with their scores. A score of 70 is considered a passing score. Scores will be emailed to each candidate.  When a civil service police department is looking to fill a position, they will request the eligible list of names from the Civil Service Unit. Civil Service Law permits towns/cities to ask that residents be placed on the eligible list before nonresidents. A “resident” is defined as a person who has lived in a particular town/city for a full year before the date of the examination. If your name is reached on the list, you will be contacted directly by the police department looking to hire and be asked to complete a formal application. In addition to the application, a thorough background check will be performed, and a formal interview will be conducted.  

Candidates who are offered a job will need to pass a medical test and a Physical Ability Test (PAT). More information about those tests can be provided here. As of an employee’s start date, candidates must have either a high school diploma or equivalency certificate approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or three years of experience in the armed forces of the United States with last release or discharge under honorable conditions. Candidates are required to be 21 years old, must be a resident of Massachusetts, have no felony convictions, have a valid Massachusetts driver’s license, and be a non-smoker. Candidates must also be able to get a Massachusetts license to carry a firearm. 

A list of civil service towns in Massachusetts can be found at here.  

There are many towns/cities in Massachusetts that are considered non-civil service towns, such as Lakeville and Freetown. Non-civil service towns/cities have their own hiring processes and requirements. The civil service entry level police exam is not required for non-civil service towns/cities. Candidates need to apply directly to the non-civils service towns/cities of interest. Application requirements will vary from one non-civil service town/city to another.  You may be required to take an exam that the department itself holds. 

If you have made it through all the above requirements and are offered a job with a Massachusetts police department, you will be required to graduate from the Massachusetts Police Academy prior to your official start date. It is quite an accomplishment to make it his far. I wish you luck in your future career as a Massachusetts police officer.