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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5041 FILED ON: 4/9/2024
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4590
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
James J. O'Day and Michael O. Moore
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act exempting the office of chief of police and the position of deputy chief of police in the
city of Worcester from the civil service law.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:James J. O'Day14th Worcester4/9/2024Michael O. MooreSecond Worcester4/9/2024 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5041 FILED ON: 4/9/2024
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4590
By Representative O'Day of West Boylston and Senator Moore, a joint petition (accompanied by
bill, House, No. 4590) of James J. O'Day and Michael O. Moore (with the approval of the mayor
and city council) relative to exempting the office of chief of police and the position of deputy
chief of police in the city of Worcester from the civil service law. Public Service. [Local
Approval Received.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act exempting the office of chief of police and the position of deputy chief of police in the
city of Worcester from the civil service law.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Office of
2Chief of Police and the position of Deputy Chief of Police of the City of Worcester shall not be
3subject to Chapter 31 of the General Laws, and such Chief and Deputy Chiefs of Police shall not
4have Civil Service status, subject to Sections 2 and 3.
5 SECTION 2. If the city manager appoints a Chief from within the Police Department,
6that employee will be granted a leave of absence by the city manager from their Civil Service
7rank and position during the time they serve as Police Chief. If they are no longer Police Chief,
8they may return to their prior Civil Service rank and position, provided they have not reached the
9maximum age for retirement under Chapter 32 of the General Laws for police officers. 2 of 2
10 SECTION 3. If the city manager appoints a Deputy Chief of Police from within the
11Police Department, that employee will be granted a leave of absence by the city manager from
12their Civil Service rank and position during the time they serve as Deputy Chief of Police. If they
13are no longer Deputy Chief of Police, they may return to their prior Civil Service rank and
14position, provided they have not reached the maximum age for retirement under Chapter 32 of
15the General Laws for police officers.
16 SECTION 4. Nothing in this act shall impair the civil service status of any tenured
17employee holding a position governed by the civil service laws on the effective date of this act.
18 SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon its passage