Information on Vote to Withdraw from Civil Service

As part of East Bridgewater’s annual town election on Saturday, May 18, 2024, the Town’s voters will decide whether the Town withdraws from the Massachusetts Civil Service system for the positions of part-time patrol officer, full-time patrol officer, and sergeant.

In March 1969, the voters of East Bridgewater authorized the Town to place these positions in the Civil Service system. Since then, the system has become antiquated and inefficient in that tests are given infrequently, few individuals are taking these tests, and test scores, not interviews and evaluations, are the primary factor in making hiring decisions.

As part of this process, the Town has negotiated contracts with the unions representing the patrol officers and superior officers/sergeants with all parties agreeing to and supporting this change. The Police Department has developed policies for hiring new officers, determining promotions, and outlining disciplinary procedures.

Current members of the department would retain all their rights and privileges under the Civil Service system.

The positions of Police Chief and Deputy Police Chief in East Bridgewater are not in the Civil Service system and never have been part of the Civil Service system.

The voters had previously approved, via a Town Meeting vote, the submission of special legislation to the State Legislature to withdraw from Civil Service but the State Legislature has declined to act on this petition.

Instead, as the Town approved going into Civil Service via a vote at a town election, the same process needs to be used if the Town wishes to withdraw from Civil Service.

A “Yes” vote on May 18 is a vote for the Town to withdraw from Civil Service. A “No” vote would cause the Town to remain in Civil Service for these positions.

The Select Board, the Police Chief, and the unions have all agreed to and support this change. A “Yes” vote at this Town Election is necessary to complete this change.

If you have any questions about this, please contact the Select Board office at 508-378-1601 or Police Chief Jenkins at 508-378-7223.