Norwood PD: Full-Time MPTC Certified Academy Trained Officer

These are the minimum qualifications required by state law to serve as a police officer in Massachusetts. All applicants must meet these baseline standards to be considered eligible.

• Must have successfully graduated from, or are currently attending, a full-time MPTC police academy in accordance with M.G.L. c. 41, Section B.
• Be a U.S. Citizen (Birth or naturalization).
• Must be at least 21 years of age on the day of appointment.
• Possess a valid Massachusetts Driver's License.
• Possess or have the ability to possess an unrestricted Massachusetts Class A License to Carry a Firearm (LTC-A).
• No person, who has been convicted felony or any offense punishable under M.G.L. c. 94C (drug law violations); or has been convicted of a misdemeanor and has been confined to any jail or house of correction for said crime, M.G.L. c. 22C, Section 14, will be considered for employment.
• In accordance with M.G.L. c. 22C, Section 10, no officer or student officer appointed or hired after January 1, 1988 shall smoke any tobacco product.
• Ability to successfully complete Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) -approved physical and psychological fitness evaluations.
• Must pass a POST compliant Background Investigation, prior to employment.
• Must pass a drug screen/test.
• Must be of good moral character and fit for employment for employment in law enforcement as determined by POST.

In addition to state standards, Norwood PD has outlined minimum qualifications and preferences that reflect the needs, values, and expectations of our department and community.

• Must have successfully graduated from, or are currently attending a full-time MPTC Police Academy. Bridge Academy graduates are not eligible to apply.
• Possess an Associate's Degree or equivalent credits when enrolled in a Bachelor's program, or be an active member of the military or honorably discharged.
• Must reside within 15 miles of Norwood, MA, within one year of appointment.
• Employees of the Norwood Police Department are prohibited from having tattoos visible on any part of their body that are extremist, sexist, racist, indecent, or the judgement of the Chief of Police, otherwise offensive.
• Must pass the department's physical fitness test.
• Must pass a drug screen/test.
• Must receive a passing score of 70% and above on the getbadged Entry Exam.
• Must pass oral interviews.
• Preference may be given to candidates who meet certain additional qualifications (such as prior law enforcement or relevant experience and specialized training). However, all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration.

Annual Salary for Patrol Officer:

• $67,392 - While in the Academy, and up to one-year anniversary.
• $84,090 - Top Step Patrol Officers (5 years). 

Officers are eligible for education incentives based on their annual salary after completing their field training.  

Benefits:

• Education Incentive*
  • Associate's Degree - 10%
  • Bachelor's Degree - 20%
  • Master's Degree - 25%
• Annual Clothing Allowance: $1,200
• Competitive Detail Rates - With Additional Rates For:
  • Night Details
  • Liquor Details
  • Holiday Details
  • Strike/Security Details
• EMT Stipend (Currently 2%. Increases to 3% after July 1, 2026)
• Night Differential:
  • 4:00pm - 12:00am: 4%
  • 12:00am - 8:00am: 5%
• Specialty Stipends (Detectives, Evidence Officer, Clerk, Field Training Officer)
• Accreditation Stipend: 2%
• Fitness Incentives:
  • Annual Fitness Stipend: $1,500**
  • Workout on Duty Available
• (14) Paid Holidays (May be taken as leave)
• (10) Sick Days, (2) Additional Personal Sick Days
• Generous Health Coverage: Town Contribution = 80% Towards GIC Health Insurance

*Officers are eligible for education incentives based on their annual salary after completing their field training.

**Eligibility for the fitness incentive requires successful completion and fulfillment of all requirements of the fitness program.

The Norwood Police Department offers specialty unit opportunities that allow officers to expand their expertise, serve the community in new capacities, and help shape the next generation of policing.

• Bike Patrol
• Motorcycle Unit
• Detective Bureau
• MetroLEC (Mountain Bike, SWAT, Computer Crime Unit, Crisis Negotiators)
• Honor Guard
• Warrant Unit
• School Resource Officers

The elements of the selection process are listed below:

• Applicants achieving 70%+ on the getbadged entry exam are required to submit an application directly through the getbadged platform.
• Consideration for further processing based will be based on the criteria below (not necessarily in the order of importance):
  • Residency within the Town of Norwood.
  • Military Service.
  • Education.
  • Prior law enforcement experience.
  • Second language proficiency.
• The top tier of desirable candidates shall be checked for the Massachusetts and interstate criminal history, and a driver's history.
  • If the checks do not reveal any issues, a minimum of fifteen candidates will move to the second step in the process and participate in the preliminary interview.
• Preliminary Interviews will be conducted to determine which candidates will move forward in the interview process.
• Candidates who participate in the Preliminary Interviews will then be required to participate in the Department issued physical fitness test (PT Test). The PT Test will be administered by the Selection Coordinator and members of the Norwood Police Department. The test will be a measurement of the candidate's academy readiness, and will replicate the PT Test that the Massachusetts Police Training Council (MPTC) administers to recruits prior to the acceptance into each academy. A candidate's success or failure of the PT Test does not secure or preclude them from employment, its only a measure of readiness at that time. Candidates are able to reapply in the future.
• When a candidate indicates they are willing to accept the position, they will be informed in writing of the remaining elements of the selection process, the expected duration of the process, and the policy on reapplication (32.1.2).
• All candidates will be required to submit to a drug and alcohol screen.
• A thorough investigation of each candidate will be conducted and include, at a minimum:
  • Verification of a candidate's qualifying credentials, fingerprint card.
  • Criminal history check (both state and national), social media check.
  • Registry of Motor Vehicles check.
  • Full employment history check.
  • Verification of at least five (5) personal references, and interviews with previous employers, coworkers, and current and past neighbors.
• Oral interviews will be conducted with the selected candidates who successfully pass the background investigation.
• Candidates must be deemed of good moral character and fit for employment in law enforcement as determined by the POST Commission (32.2.5i).
• A Conditional Offer of Employment may be offered if a candidate successfully passes the employment screening and interview process.
• Candidates who accept a conditional offer of employment will undergo:
  • POST approved psychological fitness evaluation.
  • A psychological screening with a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist.
  • POST approved physical examination by a licensed physician to certify the general health of the candidate.
  • Candidates must successfully pass the Physical Abilities Test (PAT) administered by the Massachusetts Human Resources Divisions. Candidate is required to pass the test prior to the start of the academy.
• Candidates must successfully complete the basic training program approved by the MPTC and the POST Commission approved LEO examination.
• Candidates must pass the approved POST-C exam and possess approved First Aid and CPR certificates, or their equivalents.
• The probationary period for the student police officers is one (1) year following successful completion of an MPTC certified academy.
• Any applicant who does not pass a step in the process will be notified in writing as soon as possible. Candidates who do not pass are welcome to reapply during the next hiring initiative.

The Town of Norwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No candidate will be denied employment based upon any discriminatory criteria, including, but not limited to, their sex or sexual orientation, race, religion, nationality, or union membership.