Process for Expired Officers Returning to Service

An officer whose law enforcement certification has expired is not automatically considered a completely new hire. However, prior to returning to service, the officer may be required to complete many of the same onboarding and review procedures applicable to a new candidate.

An expired certification status generally indicates that the officer’s certification lapsed because a recertification application was not submitted by the required deadline, and the officer is no longer affiliated with a recognized law enforcement agency.

In these circumstances, the employing agency is typically required to conduct an updated background review, assess the officer’s character and fitness, complete an oral interview and submit the required Agency Intake Form and Candidate Packet.

While the review process may resemble that of a new hire, the officer is still regarded as previously certified, rather than an individual seeking initial certification for the first time.

Additional training requirements may also apply depending on factors such as the length of time the certification has been expired and any other determinations made by the POST Commission.

Officer must complete any outstanding mandatory training, including all applicable training administered through the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC), as identified during the review process. Completion of all required MPTC training is a prerequisite for applying for POST Certification.

For questions, please email [email protected].