Dighton could appoint retired officers for details and police duties

Dighton’s selectmen may appoint retired town officers as special police officers when the police chief considers it necessary. Appointments are limited to retired regular police officers of Dighton. Officers must have served as regular Dighton police officers and voluntarily retired in good standing based on superannuation under chapter 32. An officer must pass a medical exam chosen by the town before performing police details; the officer bears the cost. An officer may not serve once they reach age 70. The act would take effect upon passage.

Appointed officers may make arrests and perform the same police functions as Dighton’s regular officers while doing duties under the act. These powers apply to appointed special police officers while performing duties under the act. Officers must follow department rules, including limits on assignments and requirements for medical checks, training, firearm qualifications, uniforms, and equipment. The town does not bear the costs of complying with these requirements; the officer bears them. Appointment does not guarantee an assignment to any particular detail or type of detail. These powers apply when officers perform duties under the act.

The act exempts appointed officers from certain state civil-service, retirement, and labor laws, and makes them subject to the state unemployment law. These rules apply to special police officers appointed under the act. These rules apply to officers appointed under the act.

The selectmen must reappoint special police officers each year and may remove them with written notice. These terms apply to special police officers appointed under the act. Removal generally requires 14 days’ written notice, but the police chief may order immediate removal when needed to protect public safety. If an officer asks, the chief must give the reasons for removal in writing. Officers remain subject to state limits on hours worked and payments to retired town employees. Appointments must be renewed annually.