massachusetts Human Resources Division (HRD)

open competitive EXAMINATION
Police Chief, SELECT DEPARTMENTS*
*For complete listing of participating Departments, see page 4 of this announcement.

Examination Date:  May 19, 2012

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:  
Applicants must have at least five years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in a governmental police force in a supervisory or administrative capacity (administrative capacity is defined as one which requires the direction of a segment of a department’s operation and includes the estimation of resources required to accomplish objectives and the development and recommendation of policies, work methods and procedures within the framework of broader policies established by higher level officials), or any equivalent combination of such experience and the substitutions below.

SUBSTITUTIONS:
I.	Successfully completed education toward a degree from a recognized school with a major in criminal justice, police science, law enforcement, public administration, public management or business administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience on the basis of one year of such education for six months of experience.*
II.	Successfully completed education toward a law degree from a recognized school may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience on the basis of one year of such education for eight months of experience.*

*NOTE: Educational substitutions will be permitted for a maximum of 2 years of the required experience. Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the requirements actually completed. One year of education is equal to 30 semester hours or its equivalent.

NOTE:  Persons appointed to the position of Police Chief as a result of this examination will be prohibited from smoking tobacco products after their appointment, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws and Personnel Administration Rule 23 (PAR.23).

SALARY:  Questions regarding salary should be directed to the Appointing Authority. 

DUTIES: Under the general supervision of the mayor, town or city council, town or city manager, police commission or commissioner, board of selectmen or aldermen:  directs the operations of the Police Department by determining policies, program priorities, and the utilization of resources in order to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the goals and objectives mandated by state and federal laws, local bylaws or ordinances and departmental rules and regulations; evaluates the availability of fiscal and equipment resources, personnel, and the needs of the local jurisdiction relative to the protection of life and property and the prevention and suppression of crime; performs complex, diversified and highly responsible work overseeing the delivery of major municipal police services; personally responds to major crime scenes in order to supervise actions of officers; prepares and disseminates news releases to the media; plans and conducts hearings or meetings on issues of public concern; prepares and submits budget requests and administers department budget; interviews and selects officers for promotion; reviews and negotiates contract proposals from contractors and/or vendors, and performs related duties as required.

EXAMINATION SUBJECTS:  The written examination will be designed to test, where practicable, the following knowledges, skills, and abilities which have been established as qualifications for the position:  Knowledge of arrest; Knowledge of search and seizure; Knowledge of interrogations; Knowledge of pretrial identification; Knowledge of firearms law; Knowledge of major municipal police functions; Knowledge of community policing; Knowledge of interpersonal communications; Knowledge of employee relations; Knowledge of motivation; Knowledge of organizational theory, design, and development, and administrative theory; Knowledge of ethical issues in policing; Knowledge of internal controls; Knowledge of budgeting and fiscal control; Knowledge of managing human resources; Knowledge of managing operations; Knowledge of leadership; and Knowledge of change management.

EXAMINATION WEIGHTS: Your results on the written examination represent 90% of your final mark, with your rating in Employment/Experience making up the remaining 10%.  If you are NOT claiming credit for prior relevant Employment/Experience, your results on the written examination will be your final score. Applicants must get a passing mark on each of the weighted components.  

CREDIT FOR EMPLOYMENT/EXPERIENCE: CREDIT FOR EMPLOYMENT/EXPERIENCE: Pursuant to the provisions of MGL Ch. 31, § 22, individuals who have served in the position title of Police Chief (including on a provisional basis) may receive credit for this employment or experience. Information on how to apply for this credit will be available at www.mass.gov/hrd/examforms after the last filing date. On the day of the examination, you will be asked to provide the details of any such employment or experience you have as a Police Chief. All claims must provide specific details of any employment or experience you have in the examination title as the result of service on a city or town police force, including dates of service and number of hours worked per week, and must be accompanied by documentation supporting these claims. Please note, credit for employment or experience is applicable only to individuals who achieve a passing score on the examination, and cannot be added to a failing examination score. Claims and supporting documentation must be submitted at the exam site, or postmarked within 7 calendar days of the examination. Employment/Experience credit will be added to your passing written exam score which will then be factored into your final score and represent 10% of your final score. 

Once you receive your examination mark, you will have seventeen calendar days from the mailing of your mark to appeal in writing your Employment/Experience score.

APPLICATION: All applications must be received by midnight April 23, 2012, and accompanied by an examination-processing fee of $250. You may apply online for this examination, using a Visa or Mastercard, at https://www.csexam.hrd.state.ma.us/hrd/. A confirmation number for each successful transaction will be issued. You may also obtain a paper application form, and file it along with the examination-processing fee (or fee waiver form) in person at or by mail to HRD (see address and business hours on page 3). If you mail your application, send all correspondence by certified mail with "return receipt requested," if possible. 

FEE WAIVER:  The examination fee may be waived for candidates receiving certain state or federal public assistance, such as unemployment insurance.  Fee waiver forms are available from and must be filed at the address on page 3, and may also be downloaded from the Applicant Forms section of our website (www.mass.gov/civilservice).  Waiver forms must be accompanied by proof of eligibility, for the subject time period, in the form of signed and dated receipts, check stubs and/or other documentation from the agency providing assistance. You must file a paper application form, and fill in item #16 on the application.

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES:  If you need special testing accommodations due to a documented impairment such as a hearing, learning, physical, mental or visual disability, fill in item #15 on the paper application form, or click the corresponding circle in the online application. You must also submit a letter of support from a qualified professional detailing what type of accommodation you require at the exam site. Without such a letter, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to grant your accommodation. This information is requested only to provide reasonable accommodation for exams, and will not be used for any other purposes. 

CURRENT MILITARY PERSONNEL:  ALL military personnel who, in connection with current service, have military orders that indicate their unavailability due to military service on the exam date, should contact HRD to request a make-up examination. To request a make-up, file an application and processing fee and request such accommodation in writing, with a copy of your military orders attached. Please include in your request your e-mail address, daytime base phone number and/or name and phone number of a friend or family member with whom you have regular contact and entrust with your personal communication.

NO MAKE-UP EXAMINATION:  With the exception of current military personnel as described above, no candidate has a right to a make-up examination due to personal or professional conflicts on the testing date. Candidates are advised to consider this BEFORE applying for the examination. If you file an exam application by the application deadline, but are unable to appear for the exam due to an emergency or unanticipated hardship, you may request a make-up examination by filing a written request with verifiable documentation to HRD no later than 7 calendar days from the original examination date.  HRD reserves the right to approve or deny your request.  HRD may require an additional examination-processing fee upon approval of your request.

NOTICE TO APPEAR: Notices to Appear to the assigned examination site will be mailed to candidates for this examination approximately two weeks prior to the exam date. For instructions on how to obtain a duplicate Notice to Appear, please visit our website at www.mass.gov/civilservice. 

PRIVATE SCHOOL OR SERVICE:  HRD does not recommend or endorse any private school, service, or publisher offering preparation and/or publications for examinations and is not responsible for their advertising claims.

IDENTIFICATION AT THE EXAMINATION SITE: At the examination site, applicants must present current and valid photo identification with signature (e.g., driver’s license, passport, military ID).

CHANGE OF ADDRESS:  Candidates are responsible for notifying HRD in writing of any change of address after applying for the examination. Candidates may submit changes of address by sending a written request, including former address, new address, effective date of new address, and social security number to HRD at the address on the next page. Candidates may also visit our website for instructions on how to change their address online, at www.mass.gov/civilservice. Failure to keep your records up-to-date may jeopardize opportunities for employment.

VETERANS: DEFINITION OF A MASSACHUSETTS VETERAN M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7, Clause 43 as amended by the Acts of 2004 Effective August 30, 2004:  To be a “veteran” under Massachusetts law, a person is required to have either 180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions OR 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day of which is during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. A chart defining “wartime” service is available online at www.mass.gov/civilservice or www.mass.gov/veterans . Qualifying service must have been in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Air Force of the United States. Please note that active duty exclusively for training in the National Guard or Reserves does NOT qualify you for veterans' preference. National Guard Members or Reservists must have been activated under Title 10 or Title 32 of the U.S. Code or Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 33, sections 38, 40, and 41 and then must meet the minimum service requirements listed above. The Members’ last discharge or release must be under honorable conditions.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE:  If you are claiming veterans' preference and if your eligibility for veterans’ preference has not been previously approved by HRD, you must submit a copy of your DD Form 214 Member-4 Form (Release From Active Duty-Long Form) in order to receive proper credit. Although you may supply this proof at any time during the life of the eligible list, it is recommended that you submit it at the time of the examination or immediately upon qualification.

As of July 1, 1998, those who otherwise qualify for veterans' preference, but are still in military service may claim such credit by supplying proof, on official letterhead with appropriate signature, of their military service to date, including the dates of active duty, current assignment, and estimated time of separation. The individual must provide official documentation of honorable discharge at the time of appointment. See MGL Ch. 31, §3, Clause (f).

DISABLED VETERAN STATUS:  Claims for status as a disabled veteran require written confirmation from the US Veterans Administration of a continuing service-incurred disability rated not less than 10% based on wartime service (MGL. Chapter 31, Section 1).

During the HRD review process or during the life of the applicable eligible list(s), applicants must make original supporting documentation available should the issue of authenticity arise with the submitted copies. 

It is your responsibility to review the Certification Order of Lists on our website (www.mass.gov/civilservice), under Overview of Civil Service, Order of Persons on Eligible Lists. 

READING LIST:  Please visit www.mass.gov/hrd/readinglists to download the reading list for this examination.

For more information about this and other civil service examinations, see www.mass.gov/civilservice or email the Civil Service Unit at CivilService@hrd.state.ma.us. HRD’s office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., except holidays.  

Correspondence may be sent to:
Human Resources Division
1 Ashburton Place, Room 301
Boston, MA 02108
ATTN: Test Administration
                                                                         
                                                                            	   -OR-
                                                                         
                                                                    FAX Number:  (617) 727-0399

Boston area:  (617) 878-9895 Within Massachusetts: 1-800-392-6178  TTY Number:  (617) 878-9762

DEPARTMENT	ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER	
Plainville	5486	

As of 3/30/2012.  Listing subject to change prior to Last Filing Date. See www.mass.gov/hrd/examschedule for most up-to-date listing.