Woburn police department struggles to address officer hiring challenges

The Woburn City Council Finance Committee meeting on May 28, 2025, highlighted ongoing challenges in police recruitment and staffing within the city. Officials discussed the difficulties in hiring new officers, which have persisted for several years and have been exacerbated by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the meeting, it was noted that the pool of candidates for police positions has diminished annually. Changes in civil service hiring processes were also addressed, including a shift to more frequent examinations, which may help improve recruitment efforts. However, the overall sentiment was that fewer individuals are interested in pursuing careers in law enforcement compared to previous years.

The police department reported that they have struggled to fill positions due to a lack of qualified candidates. Last year, the department called for a list of eight candidates but only managed to send four to the police academy. Unfortunately, many candidates failed to meet the physical aptitude requirements, resulting in only one successful graduate from the academy. The department did manage to appoint two residents from a neighboring town who had previously taken the civil service exam, bringing the total new hires to four, with two currently in training.

The discussion underscored the ongoing challenges faced by the Woburn police in maintaining adequate staffing levels, with officials expressing concerns about the future of recruitment in the city. The committee's focus on these issues reflects a broader trend in law enforcement agencies nationwide, where attracting new talent has become increasingly difficult.