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HD 3901

An Act relative to police chief reform and improvement – certification act

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Day

Creates a distinct Police Chief Certification with a multi-stage licensure, training standards, and a standards committee to raise chief professional competence and accountability.

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Bill Summary · HD 3901

Summary of House Bill HD 3901: An Act relative to police chief reform and improvement – certification act

Overview

HD 3901 proposes the creation of a distinct certification framework for police chiefs in Massachusetts, separate from the existing police officer certification system. The bill aims to elevate professional standards, accountability, and ongoing development for individuals serving in police chief roles. It inserts a new chapter titled “Police Chief Reform, And Improvement” into the Massachusetts General Laws.

What the bill would do

  • Establish a distinct Police Chief Certification process separate from the Police Officer Certification process.
  • Create the Police Chief Standards and Accreditation Committee to set and oversee certification standards and procedures.
  • Define a formal licensure pathway for police chiefs, including licensing stages and durations.
  • Require ongoing training requirements and standards to improve professional capabilities.
  • Promote reforms intended to reduce incompetence and raise the professional quality and public trust of police chiefs.
  • Allow for anticipated retirements or removals as part of reform, with consideration of retirement law provisions.

Key provisions

Chapter and committee

  • Insertion of a new chapter: Police Chief Reform, And Improvement.
  • Establishment of the Police Chief Standards and Accreditation Committee (max 5 members).
  • Committee composition must include at least one former police chief and at least one member representing the general public.
  • Membership is determined through consultation with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security; the Governor’s Office; and the Attorney General.

Certification schedule (Section 2)

  • Temporary License: time-limited to 1 year.
  • Provisional License: time-limited to 2 years.
  • Initial License: time-limited to 3 years.
  • Professional License: time-limited to 5 years.

Standards and objectives (Section 3)

  • Emphasize raising the competence of both police officers and police chiefs, with added emphasis on management, breadth of skills, and appropriate promotion.
  • Provide a structured period for qualifying competent officers who pursue chief status.
  • Recognize ongoing values and professional duties of chiefs.

Training requirements (Section 4A)

  • Implement training standards and recommendations.
  • Establish standards for training availability and requirements, to be developed and refined over time to improve professional capabilities.

Implementation and retirements (Section 5)

  • Acknowledges the potential removal of long-tenured officers or chiefs as part of reform.
  • Suggests that reform costs should support a path forward, including retirements under existing retirement law provisions.

Who would be affected

  • Current and aspiring police chiefs and high-ranking police executives in Massachusetts.
  • Police departments and municipal governments that appoint chiefs.
  • Oversight bodies and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the Governor’s Office, and the Attorney General’s Office, due to committee involvement.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill inserts a new regulatory framework with a staged licensure pathway (1-year Temporary, 2-year Provisional, 3-year Initial, 5-year Professional).
  • Training standards would be developed incrementally over time.
  • The bill is a proposed act within the 2025-2026 General Court session (as introduced in the House docket); specific effective dates and funding are not detailed in the provided text.

Notes

  • The bill text provided is from House Docket No. 3901 (Filed January 17, 2025) and reflects a proposed framework for police chief certification and reform. Status in the current legislative record is not listed here.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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