The Lawrence Auxiliary Police Force is an organization of 35 volunteer officers committed to the safety and well being of the citizens of Lawrence. Its primary goal is to “assist and augment” the sworn force to help make the City of Lawrence a safer community in which to live.

Established in 1950, Lawrence Auxiliary Police Officers have provided a wide variety of services to the Lawrence Police Department and the City. In addition to patrolling municipal buildings, parks, playgrounds, and other public places, they provide traffic support for road and bicycle races, parades, municipal events and church functions.

Becoming an Auxiliary Officer

The Lawrence Auxiliary Police Force is looking for energetic men and women to join the force. Joining the Auxiliary Police is a great opportunity for individuals looking to get started in law enforcement or for community-minded adults who wish to help out in law enforcement while maintaining a full-time job or career.

To be considered for the Lawrence Auxiliary Police Force, all applicants must:

• be a Massachusetts resident,
• be at least 20 1/2 years of age,
• pass an extensive background investigation,
• posses a valid Massachusetts driver's license,
• posses a high school diploma or G.E.D.

Each officer is required to volunteer for one assignment per week and is scheduled for other assignments at the weekly “assignment signup” on Tuesday evenings between 7:30pm and 10:00pm. Applications are available at the front desk of Lawrence Police Department.

Assignments

Patrol Services

The Auxiliary Police Force runs four police cruisers on Thursday through Sunday evenings between 7:00pm and 2:30am. The officers patrol the Cemeteries, Industrial Parks, Commons, and Parks, and high crime sensitive areas as well as assists at traffic accidents, fires, and other emergencies which may develop during the officers tour.

The cars are equipped with standard police packages and have communications to the Lawrence Police Department’s frequencies as well as their own repeaterized radio system. During the summer months, the Bureau has 12 mountain bikes which they patrol the downtown and highly sensitive areas during the evening hours.

Traffic Services

The bureau assists with traffic control and security at many local churches on weekends.

Emergency Callouts

The officers assist at many types of police and fire emergencies. These include fires, serious accidents lost children, and other police emergencies on a twenty four hour call in basis. Officers are supplied with alpha numeric pagers and are called in whenever a situation arises. Some callouts only consist of 3-4 officers, while others require 20 – 25 officers dependant on the situation.

Special Assignments

The officers provide special patrols, escorts, traffic coverage, and security for many charitable and non profit agencies and major events within the City. The assignments include religious processions, security and traffic control at road races, walk-a-thons, parades and all major events the city sponsors.

Training

Auxiliary Police Officers are trained in many aspects of police work which creates a solid foundation to build upon to further ones career in law enforcement. Each newly appointed officer is assigned to a Field Training Officer who oversees their development for the first several months.

Officers receive annual training and certification in CPR and the Red Cross First Responder course, handcuffing, use of force, defensive tactics, the use of O.C. pepper spray and expandable batons.

Each Auxiliary Officer is also required to complete to the 120-hour Massachusetts Reserve Intermittent Police Academy and have six months of service before being allowed to carry a firearm.

Equipment

Once Appointed Lawrence Auxiliary Officers are provided with:

• Winter and Summer Uniforms consisting of pants, shirts (long and short sleeve), spring and winter coats, reversible raincoats, traffic cross straps, etc.
• Winter and summer callouts jackets and baseball caps
• Bike shorts, polo shirts, windbreaker jackets and helmets
• Injury Insurance
• Take home Motorola portable radios
• Alpha-Numeric group pagers

Contact Information

Office hours are Monday through Friday between 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.