Council tables proposal to let retired New Bedford officers work details until 70 as department pursues third-tier option

The New Bedford City Council Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods on March 11 removed a long-pending home-rule petition from the table and then voted to table further action for 90 days while the police department and union continue contract negotiations.

The petition, introduced by Councilor Gomes, would amend section 1 of a Home Rule petition and a referenced provision in chapter 32 of the General Laws to allow retired police officers to be appointed as special police officers up to age 70. Councilor Oliver moved to remove the measure from the table; the committee approved that motion. After discussion, Councilor Morad moved to table the matter for 90 days; that motion also passed.

Deputy Chief Belong told the committee the police department and the Massachusetts Major Chiefs recommend not granting the petition as written and instead are negotiating with the police union to create a “third tier” in the workforce. “The alternative, which we are in negotiation with the police union, is to create a third tier in our workforce,” Belong said. He described the proposed third tier as unarmed civilian workers who would not be sworn special officers and would be assigned to details that do not require firearms or law-enforcement powers.

Belong said the department currently uses two pools: active officers and retired officers who serve as special police officers and carry firearms up to the existing retirement cutoff (65). The third tier would broaden the candidate pool for details and could include retired officers or other city retirees who would work without a duty belt or firearm. “When you create the third tier, you basically not only would it be open to retirees, but, potentially you could open it to other city employees,” Belong said.

Committee members pressed for timing and scope. Councilor Wright asked for clarity on ages; Belong said special police currently work up to age 65 and the petition would extend that to age 70 for sworn retirees. Belong said any definitive timeline depends on the outcome of ongoing contract negotiations and scheduled arbitration and mediation sessions.

The committee requested that the police department update the committee on negotiation outcomes when available. No ordinance or policy change was adopted at the March 11 meeting.

Votes at the March 11 committee meeting on this item included a motion by Councilor Oliver, seconded by Councilor Carney, to remove the home-rule petition from the table, which the committee approved; and a subsequent motion by Councilor Morad, seconded by Councilor Alba, to table the matter for 90 days, which the committee also approved.