Department of Community Safety:
The Department of Community Safety is dedicated to serving both the college and its surrounding community by promoting safety, education, protection, and support. Our sworn police officers—certified by the Massachusetts Police Training Committee (MPTC) and the Bridge Academy Training Program—enforce state laws while fostering a culture of respect, civility, and well-being for all. We embrace a community policing approach grounded in the “solution first” model, which emphasizes building relationships, mutual respect, and collaboration as essential elements in preventing crime and strengthening community trust.
Purpose:
The Campus Police Officer serves as a vital member of the Department of Community Safety, upholding Massachusetts State Laws while advancing the college’s mission and values. This role includes active participation in campus and community initiatives, undertaking specialized assignments, and representing the department in ways that foster strong, collaborative relationships. Guided by the principles of community policing, the position emphasizes building lasting partnerships aimed at reducing misconduct, enhancing personal and campus safety, and improving quality of life, purpose, and belonging within the community.
Summary:As a Campus Police Officer, the candidate should be knowledgeable about relevant laws and regulations and be able to effectively communicate with members of the college community. They should be physically fit and able to handle emergency situations calmly and efficiently. Additionally, they should be able to work collaboratively with other members of the department and maintain a professional demeanor at all times.
- Ensure and maintain a secure campus environment; investigate complaints and reports of suspicious activity; control crowds as necessary.
- Provide protection and security of persons, facilities and property.
- Patrol campus buildings and adjacent area(s) via foot, bike or Campus Police vehicle.
- Enforce college and department policies, rules and regulations, local laws, Massachusetts General Laws, and federal laws.
- Exercise police powers by making arrests, searching persons, and/or restraining and transporting violent persons; advise suspects of their constitutional rights to prosecute violators and to prevent further violations of law.
- Investigate all crimes, including theft, assault and battery, sexual assault, motor vehicle accidents, and other related incidents. Interview witnesses, victims and others; mediate disputes; preserve crime scenes for examination by experts.
- Enforce campus traffic and safety regulations by directing traffic; assisting operators of disabled motor vehicles; assisting pedestrians in crossing streets; writing traffic tickets; inspecting licenses, permits and registrations for validity; and ensuring an orderly flow of traffic during snow removal or sanding.
- Operate equipment, such as but not limited to two-way radios, base stations, public address system, emergency medical equipment, office machines, firearms and riot control equipment.
- Perform related duties such as cooperating and sharing information with other agencies; notifying designated personnel of emergencies; writing activity reports, daily logs, and investigative reports; maintaining records on lost-and-found items, criminal records and files on known criminals; assisting in the evacuation of community members in fire drills; assisting in fire-fighting operations; and raising and lowering flags.
- Provide emergency medical assistance.
- Provide assistance to courts or grand juries in prosecution cases.
- Work during periods of inclement weather, hurricanes, blizzards, natural and manmade disasters.
- Perform occasional mandatory overtime, details, and campus dispatch and switchboard operator duties.
- Promote community policing and community engagement in all tasks and duties.
- Participate in community engagement and continually offer exceptional customer service to the entire Holyoke community and surrounding areas.
- Focus on the Commonwealth’s Equity Agenda by applying related best practices throughout all job functions.
- Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Additional/Specialized Duties:
- Assist with departmental programs and initiatives in the following areas: Sexual Assault Investigator, Armorer, Weapon's Instructor, Evidence Officer, R.A.D. Instructor, Comfort Dog Officer, School Resource Officer, Bicycle Patrol Officers (instructor).
- Other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED:
- Must be able to meet the requirements of Chapter 253 of the Acts of 2020 (Police Reform Bill*):
- Candidates must be 21 years of age at the time of hire.
- Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Successful completion of a Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC)-approved basic training program.
- All candidates must complete Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) -approved physical and psychological fitness evaluation.
- As a condition of employment, candidate must pass a state and national background check.
- All final candidates must pass an examination approved by POST.
- Possess and maintain first aid and CPR certificates.
- All final candidates must successfully complete an interview administered by POST.
- Good moral character and fit for employment in law enforcement as determined by POST.
*Please be advised that not all requirements listed above need to be met or satisfied prior to hire.
- Possess or have the ability to obtain and maintain a Class A license to carry firearm (M.G.L. c.140, section 131).
- Possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.
- Knowledge of police procedures and practices, the law of arrest, and criminal procedures.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare written reports.
- Reliable transportation in order to travel to and from meetings, trainings, or campus and community locations as required.
- Possess physical stamina and endurance.
- Demonstrated ability to:
- Establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
- Deal tactfully with others.
- Interact with people who are under physical and/or emotional stress.
- Maintain a calm manner, make decisions, and act quickly in stressful and emergency situations.
- Exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
- Exercise sound judgment.
- Establish rapport with others.
- Follow oral and written instructions.
- Motivate others.
- Maintain accurate records.
- Use proper grammar, punctuation and spelling.
- Read, write and comprehend the English language.
- Work accurately with names, numbers, codes and/or symbols.
- Ability to perform arithmetic computations with speed and accuracy (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division).
- Conduct interviews.
- Gather information by examining records and documents and observing and questioning individuals.
- Assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures.
- Utilize investigative techniques to obtain information.
- Understand and apply the laws, rules and regulations governing assigned unit activities.
- Give written instructions in a precise, understandable manner.
- Lift heavy objects or persons.
- Adapt to varying work situations.
- Stand and/or walk for prolonged periods of time.
A comprehensive list of duties may be found at the Massachusetts Human Resources Division- Classification Specification under the “Campus Police Officer” series.
PREFERRED:- Experience or knowledge in the use of police dispatching software, report writing programs, or CJIS technology.
- Ability to speak a language in addition to English.
Full-Time, AFSCME unit position
Biweekly salary: $2,138.04; Grade 16. To be promoted to Grade 17 after satisfactory completion of Police Academy training. Candidates who have already completed the Police Academy training will start at a Campus Police Officer II, Grade 17, Step 4. Biweekly: $2,476.22.
Funding Source: State
Hours: 40 hours per week**A physical examination and psychological test (at the College’s expense) will be required of the candidate who is offered employment.