501 CMR 15.02
Definitions
For the purpose of 501 CMR 15.00, the words shall have the following meanings:
Chief Law Enforcement Officer: The chief of a municipal police department, the Chief of the
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Transit Police Department, or the designee of any
of the above.
Full-time Law Enforcement Officer: A Law Enforcement Officer, as defined in 501 CMR 15.02,
who is employed by a Law Enforcement Agency at least 20 hours per week, on average, and who
has completed an approved full-time police academy or received an appropriate waiver pursuant
to M.G.L. c. 41, § 96B.
Law Enforcement Agency:
A municipal police department, or the Massachusetts Bay
Transportation Authority Transit Police Department.
Law Enforcement Officer: An individual who meets the definition of a law enforcement officer
under 18 U.S.C. § 926B, specifically a person who:
(a) is an employee of a governmental agency;
(b) is authorized by law engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or
prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and has statutory
powers of arrest;
(c) is authorized by the agency to carry a firearm;
(d) is not the subject of any disciplinary action by the agency which could result in
suspension or loss of police powers;
(e)
meets standards, if any, established by the agency which require the employee to
regularly qualify in the use of a firearm;
(e) is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or
substance; and
(f) is not prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm.
The definition of Law Enforcement Officer shall include a full-time police commissioner of a
police department that has only one police commissioner.
(MA REG. #1270, Dated 9-26-14)
The definition of Law Enforcement Officer shall not include auxiliary officers, civilian
dispatchers, personnel who are not police officers even though they may have been granted
police authority, such as school crossing guards, animal control officers and community service
officers, persons who have been granted police powers for the purpose of performing private
details, employees of non-police organizations or government agencies who have special police
powers, honorary police officers or elected or appointed officials who, by virtue of a city or town
charter, special legislation or other mechanism are deemed to be "police commissioners" or
otherwise have supervisory responsibility for a police agency.
Part-time Law Enforcement Officer: A law enforcement officer who does not meet the definition
of a Full-time Law Enforcement Officer.
15.02: continued
Secretary: The Secretary of Public Safety and Security or his or her designee.