Brookline PD: Full-Time Lateral Transfer Officer

Job Description

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Your Experience Deserves a Bigger Stage. At Brookline PD, lateral experience means leadership opportunity.

The Brookline, MA Police Department, a non-Civil Service agency, is now accepting applications for Lateral Transfer Officers ready to bring their experience, leadership, and passion for service to one of the most unique policing environments in Massachusetts.

Brookline isn’t ordinary policing. Here, lateral officers can expect opportunities to expand their skills, contribute their experience, and grow into new leadership roles — all while serving a diverse, dynamic community right on Boston’s border. With an authorized strength of 134 sworn officers, Brookline PD offers the reach and resources of a larger agency with the close-knit culture of a smaller department.

Our Department: Did You Know?

• Patrol in a Community, Solve in a City: Just 6.8 sq. miles, yet Brookline’s population balloons to 100,000+ each day. You’ll patrol like a smaller department but tackle larger-city challenges.  
• Get Credit Where It Counts: Brookline PD honors your time in service — your years and experience translate directly to starting pay and rank.  
• Dual Command for Clear Leadership: Led by Chief Paster with a Superintendent right beside her — a rare leadership structure in Massachusetts that allows for rapid decision-making and collaborative culture.
• Openness by Design: Brookline PD stands out for having one of the most transparent public-facing police sites—sharing policies, crime stats, and reports openly to the community.
• Collaborative Innovation: Your role will include modern tools and approaches—Brookline PD actively balances data-informed policing with community-first tactics.
• Meaningful School Presence: Unlike some, Brookline PD embeds officers in local schools, creating direct community relationships—not just enforcement.
• Embrace New Challenges: Officers work daily with Boston University, Boston College, and Longwood Medical institutions, tackling challenges most departments never see.

Brookline PD is the department where careers are redefined, not recycled. Apply today and go from veteran to visionary!

 

Minimum Requirements

Before you apply, make sure you qualify!

• Certification: Must be POST Certified.
• Training: Must have completed the Full-Time MPTC Police Academy. Candidates certified through the Bridge Academy only are not eligible.
• Background & Examinations: Must pass an extensive background investigation, medical examination, and written and oral psychological evaluation.
• Non-Smoker: Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 41, Section 101A, candidate(s) must be a non-smoker for a period of one (1) year prior to appointment.
• Residency: Candidate must establish residency within 25 miles of the limits of the Town of Brookline within one (1) year from the date of appointment.
• Massachusetts Officer Status Required: Only applicants currently employed full-time as police officers in a Massachusetts police department are eligible for lateral transfer consideration.
• Additional Requirements: Eligible applicants must also meet the Additional Qualifications outlined below. 

 

Additional Qualifications

To be considered for a lateral transfer position, applicants must meet all of the additional requirements.

Do You Qualify? Eligibility Criteria

To be considered an eligible applicant:

• Candidates must hold current Full-Time Police Officer status, and be a full-time enforcement officer from any U.S. law enforcement agency in order to apply to the Department as a Lateral Transfer.
• A FT Lateral Transfer applicant must be certified and in good standings with the National Decertification Index (NDI).
• Must be of good moral character and fit for employment, as determined by the POST Commission.
• Preference may be given to candidates who meet certain additional qualifications (such as residency, specialized training, or relevant experience). However, all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration.

 

Salary & Compensation

The Brookline PD offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package designed to support long-term career satisfaction.

Salary

Salary for Patrol Officer:

• $81,168 - $130,463 (Education Dependent)
• Lateral Transfer Officers will get credit for time served. Experience and years of service will determine starting salary and vacation time.

Compensation Beyond the Paycheck

Benefits:

• Quinn Equivalent Educational Incentive: 10%-25% (eligibility is contingent upon various qualifying degrees).
• EMT Stipend.
• CIT Training Incentive.
• Longevity Pay.
• 13 Paid Holidays.
• 14-28 Vacation Days/Year.
• 4-9 Administrative Days/Year.
• 14 Sick Days/Year.
• Generous Compensatory Time-Off Benefit.
• 48+ Hours of Contractual In-Service Training Paid on Overtime Basis.
• Detail Rate: Day = $75/Hour, and Nights, Weekends, Holidays = $112.50.
• Health Insurance Premiums = 83% Town / 17% Employee.

 

Hiring Process

The Pathway to Getting Hired

Brookline PD’s hiring process is streamlined and transparent, ensuring qualified candidates can focus on showcasing their skills and readiness to serve.

• Be subject to a Background Investigation.
• Interview with a panel.
• Conditional Offer of Employment.
• Pass a Medical exam, and Written and Oral Psychological exam.

Equal Opportunity Employer

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is the Brookline PD's policy to hire, recruit, train, and promote employees without discrimination because of race, religion, color, political affiliation, physical disability, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, and/or age. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.