Sharon Police Department

Chief Stephen M. Coffey
Address 213 South Main Street
Sharon MA 02067
Phone (781) 784-1587
Fax (781) 784-1592
Website https://www.townofsharon.net/police-department
Number of Officers 34
Population Served 18000
Specializations Bike Patrol, Bomb Squad, Drone, K-9 Unit, Motorcycle, School Resource Officer, Special Vehicle Unit, SWAT/Tactical, Traffic Unit


Sharon Police Department

The Sharon Police Department is a non-civil service department, recently awarded “Certification” from Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission. The Town of Sharon is a multicultural community with more than 90 countries represented by our residents. Our Police Department is a diverse and professional agency dedicated to providing superior service to our community.
The Sharon Police Department is comprised of 31 sworn full-time officers. Specialty units within the department include Detectives, Community Resource Officer, K-9 Unit, School Resource Officer, Traffic Enforcement Officer, Mountain Bike, ATV and Motorcycle Unit. The Sharon Police Department is part of the Metro-LEC and NORPAC task forces. Sharon is approximately 24.2 square miles with a population of 18,000.
The Sharon Police Department offers competitive salaries plus additional benefits and incentives to include educational incentive, night shift differential, longevity bonus, paid holidays, physical fitness stipend, uniform allowance, and overtime/detail opportunities. The Town of Sharon has competitive health benefits - 70% paid for by the town.
Employees work within numerous standard operating procedures, as detailed in the department rules and regulations, the police policies and procedures, and applicable state, federal and local laws, that may, in some cases, require additional interpretation. Responsibilities are diverse and require understanding, common sense and the application of a variety of techniques and practices learned in law enforcement training. Employees must be aware of and understand human behavior under stressful conditions, fact finding and investigative techniques. While many guidelines and laws are available and need to be observed, the enactment of new laws and court decisions occur often. Employees must exercise good judgment and initiative in meeting unforeseen situations and emergencies.
Errors can result in personal injury, death, or injury to other employees or citizens. The position’s responsibility is to provide law enforcement services under a variety of conditions.
Employees have constant contact with the public in responding to a variety of law enforcement situations and contacts with a variety of town departments, other law enforcement agencies, and judicial agencies in order to fulfill position responsibilities. Contacts are usually made in person, over the telephone, radio, or by computer.

  1. Patrols an assigned area in a police cruiser; apprehends persons violating the law or wanted by the police; checks public assemblies, buildings for security; observes and interrogates suspicious persons; issues traffic citations; locates fires; reports street light and traffic signals out of order; street hazards or other dangerous conditions; checks schools, parks and playgrounds, responds to public emergencies and may act as court prosecutor at the discretion of the Chief.
  2. Receives dispatch orders and responds to calls for service, emergency situations, and serious crimes; takes charge of crime scenes until relieved by higher authority; exercises knowledge of State Laws, Federal Laws, Supreme Court decisions, and town by-laws in determining legal justification for arrest, search and seizure, protective custody, and other situations.
  3. Renders First Aid to ill or injured persons, assists people needing police service or refers them to another department if not the Police Department jurisdiction.
  4. Investigates all offenses and incidents in assigned patrol area, examines a crime scene, identifies and collects evidence and records data to aid in the identification, apprehension and prosecution of offenders and the recovery of property; secures, receipts and transports property coming into custody, confers with court prosecutors, and testifies in court.
  5. Preserves the peace at public gatherings, neighborhood disputes and family quarrels; negotiates settlements between emotionally upset and often irrational persons involved in domestic disputes, drunkenness, break ins, larcenies, vandalism, assaults, and other situations.
  6. Maintains a log of activities, completes detailed reports on all crimes, vehicle accidents and other incidents requiring police attention, and investigation reports in conformance with department regulations and statutory requirements.
  7. May serve at desk answering telephone and in person complaints, advising officer in appropriate sector to answer call; redirect non police complaints to proper department; may serve as dispatcher.
  8. Delivers summonses, warrants, subpoenas and other official papers promptly and accurately as directed by superior officer.
  9. Inspects cruiser at start of tour for defects, damages and cleanliness, immediately reports vehicular damages and defects and couples required reports, operates radio consistent with FCC and department regulations.
  10. May perform additional functions, e.g., firearms instructor, Crime Prevention Officer, Traffic Officer. May serve as detective working in plain clothes to investigate and follow up on criminal activity; conduct crime scene search, take photographs, lift fingerprints; interview complainants, victims, witnesses, suspects, maintain liaison with other law enforcement agencies; become knowledgeable of known criminals, associates, behavior patterns.
  11. Operates and maintains department issue firearms, including a pistol and rifle, as well as OC and baton.

 

Physical and Mental Requirements
The employee works in a loud noise environment, being exposed to work with explosives, and outdoor weather conditions up to 2/3rd of the time. Employees are required to sit, stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, reach with hands and arms, taste or smell, talk or listen/hear, and use hands up to 2/3rd of the time. Employees frequently will lift weights of more than 60 lbs. Occupational risk includes loss of life. The employee must respond to emergencies during any weather condition. Normal vision is required. Equipment operated includes an automobile, office machines, computers, and department issued firearms and other protective devices.

Education and Experience
A candidate for this position should have a High School diploma or equivalent. No prior experience is required. A candidate should possess a Massachusetts driver’s license and have successfully completed the required period of police training at an academy approved by the Mass. Criminal Justice Training Council. Academy training prior to appointment to position is considered as qualifying experience. Within a brief time following appointment, the candidate must be able to successfully complete a course in CPR and First Aid, secure a permit to carry firearms and qualify as a First Responder.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
A candidate for this position should have:

  • knowledge of modern police science techniques, methods and procedures,
  • knowledge of Federal and State laws, Town by-laws and relevant court decisions relative to search, seizure, arrest and other police officers’ enforcement responsibilities and restraints;
  • thorough knowledge of Town roads, important buildings, schools, recreational facilities, traffic arterials and of the sociological characteristics of the Town;
  • the ability to lead and instruct special police officers and civilians;
  • the ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and with respect for the rights of others;
  • the ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions;
  • the ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine the proper course of action to be taken;
  • the ability to use self-defense techniques, firearms and other police equipment including where required, use of photographic equipment, radar and Breathalyzer;
  • skill in lifting and classifying fingerprints and similar skills for which special training are provided;
  • the ability to operate motor vehicles under emergency situations;
  • the ability to complete required written reports; the ability to present testimony effectively in court proceedings;
  • the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other law enforcement agencies, other Town offices, fellow employees and the general public; and be skilled in First Aid.
  • must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State Driver’s License without record of suspension or revocation in any state and must be able to successfully complete all phases of the selection process.
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The Town of Sharon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant based on age, race, color religion, sexual preference, national origin, or disability, and encourages minorities and females to apply.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Sharon Police Department is to serve in building partnerships with the community to protect life and property by preventing crime and resolving problems by enforcing the law and maintaining order for all people. Through these efforts we will strive to have a positive impact on the quality of life for our citizens while recognizing both our diversity and those ideals we have in common. The personnel of the Sharon Police Department will maintain the highest standards of Professionalism, courtesy, integrity and work ethic while making Sharon a safe and desirable place to live and work.

 

About Us

The Sharon Police Department is comprised of 31 sworn full-time officers. Specialty units within the department include Detectives, Community Resource Officer, K-9 Unit, School Resource Officer, Traffic Enforcement Officer, Mountain Bike, ATV and Motorcycle Unit. The Sharon Police Department is part of the Metro-LEC and NORPAC task forces. Sharon is approximately 24.2 square miles with a population of 18,000.