An Act relative to the appointment of the police chief in the city of Fall River

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Carole Fiola

Bill H 4214 standardizes the appointment of Fall River's Police Chief under civil service laws, ensuring mayoral authority while protecting current employees' rights.

Read second and ordered to a third reading

Purpose and Intent

Bill H 4214 aims to establish a clear framework for the appointment of the Police Chief in Fall River, Massachusetts. The legislation seeks to align the appointment process with the civil service laws of the Commonwealth, ensuring a standardized approach to the hiring and management of the police chief position.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several important provisions:

Civil Service Compliance:

The position of Police Chief will be governed by Chapter 31 of the Massachusetts General Laws, which outlines civil service rules and regulations.

Appointment Authority:

The Mayor of Fall River will retain the authority to appoint the Police Chief, with the terms of the chief's employment contract being subject to Section 1080 of General Laws Chapter 41. This contract can last for a maximum of three years.

Responsibilities:

The Police Chief will serve as the head of the Fall River Police Department, responsible for its management and operations. The chief will also act as the "Appointing Authority" for all police department employees, with rights and duties as defined in Chapter 31.

Applicability:

The provisions of this Act will apply to any vacancy in the Police Chief position that occurs after the Act's effective date. Importantly, the Act will not affect the civil service status, seniority, or rights of current employees within the Fall River Police Department.

Effective Date:

The Act will take effect immediately upon its passage.

Affected Parties

City of Fall River: The legislation directly impacts the governance of the Fall River Police Department and its leadership structure.

Mayor: The Mayor will continue to play a crucial role in appointing the Police Chief.

Current and Future Police Chiefs: The bill establishes a framework for future appointments and clarifies the rights and responsibilities of the Police Chief.

Police Department Employees: Current employees will retain their rights and status, ensuring job security amidst the changes.

Legislative Timeline

Introduced: June 09, 2025

Committee Actions: The bill was favorably reported by the committee and has undergone several readings and procedural steps, including:

June 12, 2025: Senate concurred with the bill.
September 5, 2025: Hearing scheduled.
November 19, 2025: Reported favorably and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling.
November 24, 2025: Read second and ordered to a third reading.

Conclusion

Bill H 4214 represents a significant step toward formalizing the appointment process for the Police Chief in Fall River, ensuring adherence to civil service laws while maintaining local governance through the Mayor's authority. The bill is currently advancing through the legislative process and awaits further readings and potential passage.

Bill