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Police Department

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1. How do I become a police officer?

All Framingham Police Officers are hired through a civil service process, and are chosen from a civil service list. To be listed all Applicants must take a Civil Service Exam, and your score will determine your ranking and placement on the Civil Service List. Priority is also given to Framingham residents in the application process. YOU ARE NOT LIKELY TO BE HIRED AS A FRAMINGHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE IF: 

• Your work history shows a pattern of poor performance, discourtesy, unexcused absences, discipline, or discharge. 
• Your personal life shows a history of poor judgment and refusal to confront problems. 
• Your traffic record shows a continuing and recent pattern of poor decision making. 
• You have recently or are currently misrepresenting yourself or ignoring any laws. 
• People who know you have doubts about your honesty or character. Applicants are also informed that your current employment as a police officer at another police agency does not guarantee success in our process. Each case will be considered on an individual basis, taking into account the unique circumstances of each applicant. We seek to hire only those applicants who meet the high standards set by the Framingham Police Department; presently the applicant failure rate for positions in our agency is approximately 76%.

2. Where are civil service exams held?

All Civil Service Exams are conducted by the State. They are held at various locations throughout the state. To find when and where the next Exam is contact your local police department or the State Office of Civil Service. Civil Service Website

3. How are the final candidates chosen?

When a city has a vacant slot(s) to fill for a police officer, the city requests a list of candidates from the Civil Service Board. Based on the number of slots a list is sent to the city. The city notifies those on the list to come in and sign that they will accept an appointment and to receive a city application. After completion of the applications, a background check is conducted and the final candidates are brought in for an interview. All candidates selected must attend and complete a Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council Police Academy.

4. Does the police department hire non police personnel for any positions?

The Framingham Police Department does have several positions that are filled by non police officers. Presently there are civilian dispatchers, personnel from the records bureau as well as other administrative positions who provide support to the department. In addition animal control officers and school crossing guards also are hired under the police department. All civilian employees are hired through the City of Framingham Human Resources Department. Applications for employment can be obtained at city hall ( the Memorial Building) in the personnel department.

5. Do you have information on lateral transfers?

The City of Framingham is currently seeking lateral transfer police officers under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 31. Candidates must have a minimum of three years, full-time patrol experience with a Massachusetts Civil Service police department. All Applicants must have successfully graduated from a full time Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Academy. An extensive background investigation will be conducted on all applicants the City of Framingham is an equal opportunity employer. For compensation information, contact the Framingham Police Department by calling 508-872-1212 extension 4918 or submit letter of interest to: Framingham Police Department One William Welch Way Framingham, MA 01702 (508) 872-1212. The City of Framingham is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer

6. How can I obtain a license to carry a firearm?

You must apply, in person, to the Records Bureau at the Framingham Police Department. The cost per application is $100.00 and if approved, will be valid for six years. You may obtain the application form either at the station or online There are two different types of licenses: License to Carry and Firearms Identification Card which both vary in requirements, depending on what class of weapons license you are applying for. If you did not have a firearms license before June 1, 1998, you must present a gun safety certificate before filling out the application. It takes approximately 35 to 40 days for the license to be approved. Please note: all weapons must have a trigger lock or be kept in a tamper proof receptacle or other suitable locking device. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Framingham Police Department at 508-532-5906.

7. Are there any requirements to carry pepper spray? Also, where would I buy it?

To purchase any type of chemical spray in Massachusetts you must apply for a Firearms Identification Card (FID). This is applied for by filling out an application that can be picked up at your local Police Department. Once this is approved you can purchase chemical sprays at most sporting good stores.

8. I have a license to carry from another state and am moving to Framingham. What procedures must I follow?

You must also apply for a Massachusetts firearms license as soon as possible at the Framingham Police Department. Applications and criteria are available at the police station

9. Who needs to have a Firearms License or FID card?

To comply with Massachusetts law, except in the case of an inheritance, or when a person moves here from another state, before any Massachusetts resident may lawfully purchase, receive or possess a rifle or shotgun or purchase ammunition, they must obtain either a license to carry a firearm or an Firearms Identification (FID) Card. In order to purchase a firearm or possess a firearm outside of one's business property or residence, such person must have a license to carry. In Massachusetts, any person who is a resident or has his place of business within the Commonwealth, or resides on a military base under federal jurisdiction within Massachusetts, may apply for an FID Card from the local licensing authority. While an FID Card allows it's holder to possess firearms, it does not allow them to carry firearms on their person or in their vehicle outside of their residence or place of employment. According to Massachusetts General Laws, with an FID Card the holder may keep their firearm at his residence or place of business, whichever is listed on the FID Card. Anyone who wishes to possess a firearm (i.e. a pistol or revolver) away from their residence or place of business must obtain a License to Carry a Firearm.

10. How old must I be to obtain a license to carry?

For an License To Carry (LTC), the minimum age requirement is 21 years of age. For an Firearms Identification Card (FID), the minimum age requirement is 15 years of age and must be accompanied with a written letter of approval by parent up until the age of l8. All applicants must pass a criminal record check and have no felony convictions. There are also other restrictions that can be discussed at the time that you meet with the Licensing Officer

11. What is a sexual offender?

A sex offender is any person who resides or works in the Commonwealth and who has been convicted of a sex offense, or who has been adjudicated as a youthful offender or as a delinquent juvenile by reason of a sex offense, or a person released from incarceration or parole or probation supervision or custody with the department of youth services for such a conviction or adjudication, or a person who has been adjudicated a sexually dangerous person or a person released from civil commitment on or after August 1, 1981.
Sex offenders will be classified according to the degree of dangerousness they pose to the public and their likelihood for reoffense. An offender's classification will be:

a Level 1 or "low risk" offender,
a Level 2 or "moderate risk" offender, or
a Level 3 or "high risk" offender.

In addition, if the Board, in finally giving an offender a Level 3 classification, also concludes that such sex offender should be designated a Sexually Violent Predator, the Board shall transmit a report to the sentencing court explaining the Board's reasons for so recommending, including specific identification of the sexually violent offense committed by such sex offender and the mental abnormality from which he suffers. The sentencing court shall then have the ultimate decision to determine whether such sex offender is a sexually violent predator.

12. What is a Level 1 Offender?

A Level 1 offender is deemed a low risk to re-offend and a low danger to the community. Police are notified if an offender lives in the community, but the information is not made public.

13. What is a Level 2 Offender?

A Level 2 offender is considered to be a moderate risk to re-offend, and a moderate danger to the community. Information on Level 2 offenders is available to the public through the police department, but must be requested.

14. What is a Level 3 Offender?

A Level 3 offender is considered to be dangerous and likely to commit another sexual offense, according to the state's Sexual Offender Registry Board. Local police departments are encouraged to be proactive in making sure residents know a Level 3 offender lives in the community.

15. Who may obtain information about a sexual offender?

Any member of the public who is at least 18 years of age or older may request sex offender information. The information will be provided to any person who is seeking the information for his/her own protection or for the protection of a child under the age of 18 or for the protection of another person whom the requesting person has responsibility, care, or custody.
You may request sex offender information at Local Police Departments or through the Sex Offender Registry Board directly.

16. Can I get information from my local police department?

A person may request sex offender information by going to his/her local city or town police station. After presenting proper identification, the requester must fill out a sex offender request form containing: 

1. The name and address of the requester. 
2. Information may be requested in the following manners: Inquire whether a specifically named individual or a person described by sufficient identifying information to allow the police to identify the individual is a sex offender; or The requester may inquire whether any sex offenders live or work within the same city or town of a specific address, including, but not limited to, a residential address, business address, school, after school program, day care center, playground, recreational area or other identified address; or The requester may inquire whether any sex offenders live or work at a specific street address within the city or town where the person is requesting sex offender information; or Where the police department is located in a city or town with more than one zip code area, the inquiry may ask whether any sex offenders live or work within a specified zip code. In Boston such inquiry may be made by specified police district. 
3. The reason for the request. 
4. The date and time of the request. If the request results in the identification of a sex offender, the police will distribute the offender’s name, home address, work address, age, sex, height, weight, eye and hair color, the sex offenses committed and the dates of conviction and/or adjudication and a photo of the offender, if available. The information will be provided free of charge. All information provided to the public will include language prohibiting the misuse of sex offender information for harassment or discriminatory purposes. All records of inquiry will be kept confidential, except to assist or defend in a criminal prosecution. The police will not release information identifying the victim by name, address or relation to the offender. For copies of the form to request sex offender information from your Local Police Departments please visit our Forms and Publications page.

NOTE: Any information provided by either the police or the Sex Offender Registry Board will be limited only to offenders who have been finally classified by the Board as Level 2 or Level 3 offenders or Sexually Violent Predators.The law prohibits the Board and police departments from disseminating any information on a sex offender who has not been finally classified by the Board or who has been finally classified as a Level 1 offender.

17. How do I obtain information from the Sexual Offender Registry Board?

A person may request sex offender information from the Sexual Offender Registry Board. Requests must be made on a form approved by the Board. The Board will provide a report identifying whether the person is a sex offender with an obligation to register, the offenses for which he/she was convicted or adjudicated and the dates of such convictions or adjudications. The Board will only disseminate information on offenders who have been finally classified as a Level 2 (moderate risk) or Level 3 (high risk) offender. The law prohibits the dissemination of information unless and until the offender is finally classified as a Level 2 or a Level 3 offender. The law strictly prohibits the dissemination of information on Level 1 (low risk) offenders. The information will be provided free of charge. All information provided to the public will include language prohibiting the misuse of sex offender information for harassment or discriminatory purposes. All records of inquiry will be kept confidential, except to assist or defend in a criminal prosecution. For copies of the form to request sex offender information from the Sex Offender Registry Board please visit our Forms and Publications page. NOTE: Any information provided by either the police or the Board will be limited only to offenders who have been finally classified by the Board as Level 2 or Level 3 offenders or Sexually Violent Predators. The law prohibits the Board and police departments from disseminating any information on a sex offender who has not been finally classified by the Board or who has been finally classified as a Level 1 offender.

18. What to do I do if I lost my purse or wallet?

Cancel your credit cards immediately. It is important to have the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know who to call. Keep those where you can find them easily (Do not keep them in your wallet or purse). Contact your bank if your checkbook or ATM card was also stolen along with your wallet or purse file a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation. The most important step you can take to protect yourself: Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security Number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. They can reached at the following: Experian (formerly TRW) (800) 301-7195 Equifax (800) 525-6285 TransUnion (800) 680-7289 Social Security Administration (800) 269-0271

19. What do I do if I am a victim of fraud over the internet?

A growing area of crime is on the internet. This is due to both the rapid increasing popularity as well as the vast distance this means of fraud covers. If you are a victim of a scam or fraud over the internet, contact the Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC).

20. How do I obtain a copy of my criminal record?

There are two different applications you can get, depending on what you are actually looking for. If you are looking for a letter from your local police department, you can come to the police station and obtain a request form. Upon completion a letter will be generated by the department stating you either have no record in the City of Framingham only, or a list of your offenses in Framingham only. If you are seeking a state-wide, this must be done through the Criminal History Board at (617) 660-4600.

21. How can I get a criminal check on another person?

In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the police department may not obtain background checks on individuals as a public information request. This is called Criminal Offender Records Information (CORI) and it is against the law for the police department to give out such information. However, you may call the Criminal History Board at (617) 660-4600 for more information on how to obtain a criminal check on an individual.

22. When is an operator required to fill out an accident report?

According to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 90 Section 26, "Every person operating a motor vehicle which is involved in an accident in which any person is killed or injured or in which there is damage in excess of one thousand dollars to any one vehicle or other property shall, within five days after such accident, report in writing to the registrar on a form approved by him and send a copy thereof to the police department having jurisdiction on the way where such accident occurred; provided, however, that such police department shall accept a report filed by an owner or operator whose vehicle has been damaged in an accident in which another person has unlawfully left the scene of such accident. Such report shall not be required during the period of incapacity of any person who is physically incapable of making a report. If the operator is not the owner of the vehicle and is physically incapable of making such written report, the owner shall within five days after the accident make such report based on such knowledge as he may have and such information as he can obtain regarding the accident.

The registrar may require any such operator or owner to file a supplementary written report whenever in the opinion of the registrar the original report is insufficient.

The registrar may revoke or suspend the license of any person violating any provision of this section."