Police want residents, veterans to take Civil Service exam
GREENFIELD — Police are hoping that more residents and veterans will take the Civil Service exam to become patrol officer candidates this time around, because the department plans to hire several full- and part-time officers during the next fiscal year.
The exam will be held April 20.
Lt. William Gordon said once people sign up for the exam, they will be notified by mail about the time and place.
“Only four residents passed the exam last time,” said Gordon. “We’d really like to see many more residents take it so some of them can come into the department at the entry level.”
Gordon said the town prefers to hire Greenfield residents, then area residents, and then it looks beyond the county.
“Word about the test just isn’t getting out like it should,” said Gordon. “This is going to be a statewide exam, so we’d like to see a more local list we can eventually choose from.”
Gordon said people must be 21 years old to take the exam. He said the fee to take it is $100 until March 18. After that, there is an additional charge of $50.
He said the only place people can sign up for the exam is online at: www.mass.gov/civilservice.
“Veterans who want to work in law enforcement should also be taking the exam,” he said.
Gordon said once someone passes the exam, he or she is put on a list, which Greenfield will hire from after doing interviews with those candidates.
All candidates will also have to take a physical aptitude test, but only after passing the Civil Service exam.
“You don’t need a degree in law enforcement to take the exam or to get hired,” said Gordon. “You just need a high school diploma or GED, and to pass the exam.”
Gordon said the only way to be hired by the Greenfield department is by taking the exam, because the Greenfield police are still hired under Civil Service.
The mayor is trying to change that, but it doesn’t look like that will happen for at least the next year.
“The exam is good for two years, so even if someone isn’t ready to apply for a job with us until next year, they should take it now,” he said.
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