Police Officer

Statement of Duties:

The Police Officer performs general or special duty police work in the maintenance of law and order, in the protection of life and property, and in the prevention and suppression of crime. This position is responsible for maintaining and improving upon the efficiency and effectiveness of all areas under his/her direction and control. Performs all other related work as required.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Exercises authority consistent with the obligations imposed by the oath of office and according to Massachusetts laws, local bylaws, policies and procedures.
• Assists all persons needing police assistance.
• Detects and prevents crime through patrol. Patrols assigned areas throughout town to prevent crime and enforce laws. Apprehends persons violating the law or wanted by law enforcement.
• Performs building security checks. Observes and questions suspicious persons. Checks city streets and attends public assemblies.
• Directs and expedites the flow of traffic at assigned locations to prevent accidents, protect individuals and equipment, and ensure the free flow of traffic. Enforces parking ordinances and motor vehicle laws; issues traffic and parking warnings and citations to violators. Reports malfunctioning streetlights, tree hazards, and any conditions endangering public safety.
• Preserves peace at public gatherings, neighborhood disputes, and family quarrels. Renders first aid as a first responder to persons requiring medical services until EMTs arrive.
• Assists citizens requesting assistance or information. Counsel juveniles and adults when necessary and refers them to appropriate persons or agencies.
• Serves or delivers criminal warrants, summonses, subpoenas, and other official papers promptly and accurately when so directed. May confer with court prosecutor and other court officers, when assigned, testify in court.
• Responds to public emergencies including ambulance and fire department calls.
• Completes detailed reports on all crimes, vehicle accidents, and other incidents requiring police attention; completes arrest report and/or investigation reports when necessary.
• Regular attendance and punctuality at the workplace are required.
• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situations dictate.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience: A High school diploma or GED equivalent required. Advanced degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, or a related field preferred as is military service. Must be at least 21 years old to be appointed to a police officer position and acquire a License to Carry a Firearm.

Special Requirements:

• Must possess Valid Class D Motor Vehicle Operator License.
• Possession or ability to acquire a License to Carry a Firearm (Massachusetts Class A License to Carry).
• Pass and complete a thorough background investigation in accordance with agency policy and practice.
• If not already MPTC certified, candidate must attend and pass a rigorous 24-week police academy. Candidates are sponsored by the Somerville Police Department and compensated while attending.
• Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 41 Section 101A “no person who smokes any tobacco product shall be eligible for appointment as a police officer or firefighter in a city or town and no person so appointed after said date shall continue in such office or position if such person thereafter smokes any tobacco products…”

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification as a Police Officer by the Massachusetts Police Training Committee (MPTC).
• Minimum of 1-year in police, security or customer service preferred.
• Certification in CPR and as a First Responder.
• Training and qualification in the use of handguns.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge: Working knowledge of the statutes, local laws, law enforcement rules and regulations, and the court system. Thorough knowledge of rules of conduct as they pertain to a law enforcement officer carrying out duties (i.e. arrest, search and seizure, investigative detention, Miranda warnings, use of force, etc.). Thorough knowledge of police facilities, equipment and operations. Knowledge of the rules and regulations which govern the use of force, police pursuits, roadblocks, and other emergency tactics when attempting to apprehend fleeing violators.

Abilities: Ability to enforce the law impartially and to make sound judgments under stressful situations. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in general or detailed instructions. Ability to analyze and interpret laws, bylaws, rules and regulations, standards and procedures, and apply them to specific situations and cases. Ability to conduct thorough criminal investigations and investigations into other matters presented on a case-by-case basis. Ability to work in a high stress environment on a regular basis. Ability to remain calm, concentrate and perform all responsibilities in a competent and professional manner at all times.

Skill: Strong problem-solving skills. Skill in operating the above-mentioned tools and equipment.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a police vehicle, at Police Station, or outdoors, with frequent exposure to varying weather conditions and situations endangering personal safety. Wears appropriate uniform and equipment. Shift may consist of evenings and weekends. Operates police cruiser, computer, telephones, standard office equipment, and all police equipment including firearms. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills

Applicant must be able to pass both the mandatory Massachusetts Physical Ability Test (PAT) as set for the position of Police Officer and the Pre-Academy Fitness Test.

Work involves physical effort. Physical agility is required to access all types of areas. Regularly required to walk, run, stand, jump, climb, stoop, crouch, kneel, and climb a ladder/fence/stairs; must be able to access all levels of a building/structure. Manually operates all department vehicles, tools, equipment, office equipment, and firearms. Must occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 60 pounds. May be required to physically restrain person(s) during arrests using standard police procedures. Required to detect odors and have temperature sensitivity.

Motor Skills

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone, personal computer and/or most other office equipment including word processing, filing and sorting of papers.

Visual Skills

Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes. Eyesight, including corrected eyesight, with regards to close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception is required to perform the job.

Hours: Full-Time
Salary:

• Position starts at: $59,000.00 annualized, plus benefits
• After the completion of the Police Academy: $71,500.00, annualized, plus benefits 

Union: SPEA
FMLA: Non-Exempt
Date Posted: April 1st, 2025

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The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

• MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
• Completion of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

• 4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions. Union positions vary by contract. Please note, police officers are members of the SPEA union.
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Somerville Retirement Pension System
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.