Framingham Police To Exit Civil Service in 2021

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FRAMINGHAM – The City of Framingham issued a press release today, December 24, confirming that Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has signed H4864, which means the City of Framingham will exit civil service in 2021.

Gov. Baker signed the home rule petition law on Dec. 22. 2020 allowing the Framingham Police Department to exit Civil Service as of Jan. 21, 2021.

Many agencies use Civil service to hire, discipline, and promote employees.

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Framingham Police has been working to develop improved hiring, disciplinary and promotion systems in the likelihood of the department’s separation from Civil Service. By exiting Civil Service, the Framingham Police can draw from a larger pool of candidates and determine hiring preferences such as language proficiency and education levels and set promotion and disciplinary standards.

“This change allows the Framingham Police Department to expand our ability to recruit, attract a larger pool of candidates, with the goal of creating a workforce that is reflective of the community we serve, while preserving a commitment to veterans, and establishing a Cadet program in the future,” said Framingham Police Chief Lester Baker. “I would like to thank both unions for their cooperation in this process.”

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Framingham Police institute the new hiring, disciplinary and promotion systems as of Jan. 21, 2021.

“This is a historic day for Framingham, and I couldn’t be happier about this development,” said Mayor Yvonne M. Spicer. “The Spicer Administration has been working closely with the Framingham Police Officers Union and Framingham Police Superior Officers Association to make this happen for years. I’m
also grateful to our legislative delegation – Senate President Spilka and Representatives Gentile, Lewis, and Robinson – for helping shepherd this initiative.”