Officer Status Lists

An individual cannot be hired or actively employed as a law enforcement officer in Massachusetts if they are not certified by POST. The list below describes the different types of certification status. 

Administratively Suspended: Officer fails to complete in-service training requirements within 90 days of the deadline imposed by the Commission; or an officer with a duty to report information to the Commission fails to do so. See MGL Chapter 6E, Section 9, Paragraph 5 b and c. Individuals cannot perform police duties and functions until the administrative suspension is lifted by the Commission.  

Certified: Officer has met the necessary requirements and is certified for three years. See MGL Chapter 6E, Section 4.

Certified/SRO: School Resource Officer: (SRO) A sworn municipal police officer appointed by the Chief of Police who has completed the School Resource Officer (SRO) training and fulfilled other requirements for SRO certification in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 6E, Section 3 and 555 CMR 10.00. The SRO is specifically tasked with providing law enforcement, promoting school safety and security services, and maintaining a positive school climate for all students, families, and staff within elementary and secondary public schools. 

Certified/SRO Conditional: School Resource officer has met some certification requirements and must satisfy all requirements within a specified time frame.  

Conditionally Certified: Officers classified as “Conditionally Certified” have complied with only some recertification requirements. M.G.L. c. 6E, § 3(a). In order to maintain certification, an officer must satisfy each of the “conditions of certification” listed on their notice within the time period indicated.  Once the Commission has determined that all listed conditions have been met, the officer’s status will change from “Conditionally Certified” to “Certified.” Officers must remain in compliance with the requirements of Chapter 6E and all regulations promulgated by the Commission. Failure to meet the listed conditions within the designated timeframe, or any approved extension, may result in a change of the officer’s certification status. This change could restrict their eligibility for appointment or continued employment as a law enforcement officer within Massachusetts. See 555 CMR 7.04. 

In addition, officers on excused medical, military or administrative leave who have not completed recertification requirements will be classified as “Conditionally Certified” with the restriction that they cannot perform police duties and functions. 

Decertified: An individual who has been decertified by the Commission.  A decertified officer cannot work for a law enforcement agency in any capacity and their name is added to the National Decertification Index (NDI). See MGL Chapter 6E, Section 10.

Expired: An officer is classified as having an expired certification status if their certification lapsed on July 1, 2025, they failed to submit a recertification application by that date, and they are not currently affiliated with a recognized law enforcement agency.

The Division of Certification will make reasonable efforts to notify officers of their expired status via personal email address if available.

Officers classified as expired will be publicly listed on the POST Commission website for 60 days from the date of classification. This public listing is intended to inform employers, agencies, and the public that the officer’s certification is no longer valid.

Not Certified: Officers classified as “Not Certified” have failed to meet one or more requirements for recertification under M.G.L. c. 6E, § 4(f)(1) and 555 CMR 7.06. As a result, the Commission cannot renew their certification. These individuals are not eligible for employment as law enforcement officers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Unlike decertified individuals, officers who are not certified may still seek certification. 

Restricted: An officer is classified as having a restricted certification status if they are not currently affiliated with a recognized law enforcement agency and do not meet the criteria for “expired” status.

Officers classified as restricted will be listed as such on the POST website. This designation indicates that, while the officer’s certification remains valid, they are not currently authorized to serve in a law enforcement capacity due to the lack of agency affiliation.

Suspended: An officer arrested, charged or indicted for a felony will have their certification suspended immediately. The Commission may, after a preliminary inquiry, suspend the certification of any officer who is arrested, charged or indicted for a misdemeanor, if the crime is determined to affect the fitness of the officer to serve. Also, the Commission may suspend the certification of an officer if it finds suspension is in the best interest of the health, safety or welfare of the public. Note that officers whose certification has been suspended by POST are listed on our monthly suspension list. If an officer’s certification is suspended, the officer may not conduct police duties and functions.  See MGL Chapter 6E, Section 9.

Unassociated: An officer not currently employed by a law enforcement agency.  For a report on all Unassociated individuals, please select the “Unassociated” drop-down option in the “Law Enforcement Agencies” field below.

Under Review: POST needs more information to process the recertification application and/or the officer is challenging a certification decision.