Norwood PD: Full-Time Entry Level Officer

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/

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.

• Be a U.S. Citizen (Birth or naturalization), upon appointment to the MPTC Police Academy.
• Possess a valid Massachusetts Driver's License.
• Must be at least 21 years of age on the date of appointment.
• 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
• 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.
• Must pass a thorough and comprehensive Background Investigation prior to employment.
• Pass a Medical and Psychological exam.
• Must pass a drug screen/test.
• Must successfully complete the Full-Time Police Academy.

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

• Exam Score: Must achieve 70%+ on the getbadged entry exam.
• Residency: Must reside within 15 miles of Norwood, MA (as the crow flies), no later than one year after employment begins.
• Education: 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.
• Tattoo Policy: 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.
• Fitness: Must pass the department-held fitness test.
• Interview: Must pass oral interviews.

Salary for Patrol Officer:

• $64,799 - While in the academy, and up to their one-year anniversary.
• $80,856 - Top step patrol officers (5 years). 

Officers are eligible for education incentives based on their annual salary after completing their field training.  Additional benefits may be available upon request.

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

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.