Norwood PD: FT Entry Level Officer

Contact Information

Lt. Sarah Lyden

(781) 440-5100

slyden@norwoodma.gov

137 Nahatan Street
Norwood, MA 02062
United States

Type: FT Entry Level Officer

Is an exam required? Yes

Required Passing Score:

70%

Job Description

Update: March 2024

Thank you for your interest in joining the Norwood PD! All current positions have been filled, but we’re always looking for future top candidates. We encourage you to submit your application today to be among the first reviewed in our next hiring round—positions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Norwood Police Department is accepting applications from qualified candidates for the role of FT Entry Level Police Officer. The Norwood PD is an accredited agency consisting of sixty-five sworn officers. These officers are responsible for the safety of the Norwood's 32,000 residents and visitors alike. We work to secure the community by patrolling an area of just over 10 square miles by means of three shifts over twenty-four hours, three hundred sixty five days a year. Our officers take pride in the responsibility given to them by the Town of Norwood and are grateful to serve this community.

To learn more about the Norwood PD and the initiatives our officers take to engage with, and ensure the safety of, our community, please visit our department's social media accounts:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norwoodpolice

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/norwoodpolice/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/norwood-police-deparment/

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.

Minimum Requirements

To be considered an eligible candidate, the Norwood PD requires applicants receive a 70% and above on the PES Entry Exam and meet or exceed the Minimum Requirements as outlined below.

Be a U.S. Citizen (Birth or naturalization), upon appointment to the Police Academy
Be at least 21 years old on the day of appointment
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
Possess, or have the ability to obtain and maintain, an unrestricted Massachusetts License to Carry a Firearm (LTC)
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
Must pass oral interviews
Must pass a thorough background investigation prior to employment
Must pass physical fitness test
Must pass medical examination
Must pass psychological examination
Must pass a drug screen/test
Must have a valid Massachusetts Driver's License
Must reside within 15 miles of Norwood, MA within one year of appointment
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
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 receive a passing grade of 70% and above on the PES Entry Exam

Salary & Compensation

While in the academy, and up to their one-year anniversary, new officers earn $64,799. Top step patrol officers (5 years) earn an annual salary of $80,856.

Officers are eligible for education incentives based on their annual salary after completing their field training. Accepted degrees for compensation: Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Administration, Criminology, Law Enforcement, Sociology, Psychology, Forensic Science, Public Administration, Communications, Emergency Management, Computer Science, and Political Science.

Associate's Degree - 10%
Bachelor's Degree - 20%
Master's Degree - 25%

Hiring Process

The Elements of the Selection Process

The elements of the selection process are listed below:

The Norwood Police Department will conduct a recruitment campaign through getbadged.com, to determine a candidate's eligibility for hire.
The passing grade of the PES entry exam will be 70%.
Candidates who pass the entry exam will be considered for further processing 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.

Candidate Profile

To apply you must complete your Candidate Profile Questionnaire.

Supporting Documents

A resume is required as part of your application. Strengthen your profile by attaching additional supporting documents.

Ready to Apply? Here’s What You Need to Do:
Non-Members:

To apply, you must first Register for Your Exam (Entry Level) or become a POST Certified Academy Trained/Lateral Transfer Member.

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