Entrance Requirements for the BPD Academy

For appointment to the Boston Police Academy, applicants must take and pass the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' written police examination. The civil service exam is given every two years. The last exam was given on April 30, 2005. For more information, contact the Massachusetts Human Resources Division at 617 727 3777.
Massachusetts Human Resources Division »

In order to become a Boston Police Officer, you must be a resident of the city of Boston. In addition, you must also be a resident of the city for at least one year prior to taking the civil service exam.

For more information regarding internships and our cadet program, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.
Frequently Asked Questions »

To become a police officer in the Commonwealth of MA, applicants must:

  1. Be a U.S. citizen (birth or naturalized)

  2. Be at least 21 years of age

  3. Possess a High School Diploma or have a G.E.D. Certificate or served at least 3 years in the United States Armed Forces with an honorable discharge or release.

  4. Possess a valid Massachusetts motor vehicle operator's license


Preference is given to applicants applying to work or the B.P.D. for the following reasons:

  1. Those who live within the city of Boston

  2. Children or siblings of fallen officers

  3. Those who have served as Boston Police Cadets

  4. Applicants of certain racial\ethnic backgrounds (as required by federal consent decree)

For more information about working specifically for the B.P.D., please call the Department's Human Resources Division at 617 343 4677.

For appointment to the Boston Police Academy, applicants must:

  1. Take and pass the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' written police examination

  2. Pass an extensive background investigation, medical and psychological examinations and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Physical Agility Test

  3. Be a resident of the city of Boston. In addition, you must also be a resident of the city for at least one year prior to taking the civil service exam.

Once accepted to the Academy, recruit officers undertake a rigorous six-month training encompassing:

  1. Constitutional Law

  2. Criminal Law

  3. Crisis Intervention/Conflict Resolution

  4. Physical Training

  5. Patrol Procedures

  6. Defensive Driving

  7. Self Defense

  8. Firearm Training

  9. First Responders

Benefits

  1. Base salary $46,000.

  2. Thirteen (13) paid holidays per year

  3. Excellent promotional opportunities

  4. Full retirement plan

  5. Educational incentives

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