WESTFIELD – Local residents who aspire to a career in law enforcement will have an opportunity in April to take their first step in that direction, State Sen. Michael R. Knapik has announced.
Knapik alerted his constituents that an entry exam will be offered to qualify candidates for positions with the State Police and all civil service police departments in the Commonwealth.
Knapik called a career in law enforcement “a very noble calling” and said that the exam “provides an important opportunity for interested individuals to become eligible for any hiring that might be done by cities and towns” as well as the MBTA Transit Police and non civil service State Police positions.
Potential officers may find additional information, including application forms for the test, online at www.mass.gov. Applicants must be at least 21 years-of-age at the time of the test.
From the www.mass.gov home page, the A to Z topics button will take a visitor to an alphabetical list of options where selecting the Division of Human Resources will bring up a page with a 2013 Police Officer & State Trooper Examination Information option.
The test will be offered on April 20 at several locations to be announced. Applications are due by March 18 and a $100 fee is required to take the test.
Late application will be accepted until April 1 but will require an additional $50 late fee.
The examination will be comprised of three tests – a written ability test, a life experience survey and a work styles questionnaire. Additional information about the exam may be found at www.mass.gov.
Performance on the test may qualify an applicant for inclusion on a civil service list from which civil service police departments draw candidates for available positions.
Some departments, such as Southwick and Northampton, do not utilize the civil service system and use their own tests to qualify candidates.
“Communities across the state will be looking for high character, physically fit, and service oriented individuals to become our public safety officers in the coming years” Knapik said.
