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FRAMINGHAM – Officer James Green, who joined the Framingham Police Department in 1983, wants to stay with the department into 2023.
Officer Green has been on the force for 37 years, and wants to serve the community and its citizen for a few more years.
But Massachusetts law sets age 65 as the mandatory retirement age for police officers and firefighters in every city and town in the Commonwealth,
However, exemptions for this law are available only through legislative means. The exemption allows an officer to receive a salary, but additional pension benefits are not increased for any years after 65.
The last Framingham Police Officer to be granted an exemption was Robert Tibor in 2013.
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“Throughout my career I have worked in both patrol and detective roles, and I am currently assigned to the evening shift in patrol.
As I approach retirement eligibility, I find that I still have a strong desire to serve the City of Framingham as a police officer. I am writing to you to seek approval, per Section 8(1) of the Home Rule Amendment, for an extension of my service as a police officer to the City of Framingham. My request comes with the support of my fellow police officers and the police department administration,” wrote Green to the 11-member Framingham City Council.
The City Council is expected to discuss the request at its December 1 meeting.
Green has requested the City file a home rule petition on his behalf which would allow him to remain employed in his current position for two years beyond his 65th birthday or until February 4, 2023.
If the petition is not granted he would be forced to retire by February 28, 2021.
“The FPOU fully supports an extension for Officer James Green, and we look forward to another 2 years with him in our ranks. James Green is an upstanding individual, police officer, and resident of this City, and the relationships he has forged across the Department and across the City are a testament to his character,” said Union President Ryan Porter.
“The Framingham Police Department supports this request as it will help alleviate our current staffing shortage and it will allow an experienced veteran police officer to continue to serve the community. The Department currently has nine unfilled patrol vacancies and appears we may lose another three officers in the near future due to transfers and retirements. Also, the Covid‐19 Virus may force the postponement of future police academies, which may significantly delay the deployment of new officers. Officer Green is a seasoned veteran officer in a very young Department, with almost forty officers who have five or less years of experience. His continued employment until age sixty‐seven would benefit the community,” wrote Acting Police Chief Ron Brandolini on November 16.
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