Acushnet Police Seek Lateral Transfers Amid Staffing Concerns

ACUSHNET (WBSM) — The Acushnet Police Department is seeking new police officers right away, and in order to hire them, it is advertising to officers in other departments who are seeking a lateral transfer.

According to Acushnet Provisional Police Chief Gary Coppa, Massachusetts Civil Service now allows communities to hire both off its established police officer list and off a Civil Service pre-approved local register, provided the department maintains a 50-50 ratio over a five-year period.

With that new provision in place, Acushnet decided the best way to go was to try to hire a lateral transfer from another department.

Why Acushnet Is Hiring Lateral Transfers Now

“The reason we are taking a lateral transfer instead of hiring off the civil service list is that our department has an immediate need for a police officer, and we feel we have an attractive benefit package that may interest candidates,” Coppa told WBSM.

Acushnet will still look to hire new officers off the Civil Service list as well, but Coppa said “that process is time-consuming and costly,” whereas a lateral transfer can start much quicker.

Officer Departures Creating Staffing Pressure

“Our department is facing the real possibility of losing two officers to the Massachusetts State Police and one officer to retirement in the very near future,” Coppa said. “We are hopeful that adding this transfer now will help us maintain proper staffing levels to reduce overtime and officer fatigue until additional officers off the civil service list can be hired.”

Benefits and Incentives Offered

According to a posting by Acushnet Police seeking the full-time, academy-trained transfer, the department offers “competitive pay” and a “premium detail rate.” There are also Quinn Bill incentives of 25 percent for a Masters Degree, 20 percent for a Bachelors and 10 percent for an Associates.

There is also paid time off of up to 25 vacation days per year, 15 sick days, 14 holidays, and three personal days. The department also pays longevity pay and a clothing allowance.

How Current Officers Can Apply

Any current officers looking to apply should send a letter of interest and resume to Provisional Police Chief Gary Coppa at gcoppa@acushnet.ma.us.