New Bedford Police Seek Officers From Other Departments With $5K Bonus

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — As the New Bedford Police Department works to fill its ranks, it is now seeking lateral transfers from other police departments.

New Bedford Police posted to Facebook on Wednesday that the department is now hiring lateral transfers, officers currently employed by other departments who want to serve with the NBPD.

The department has been actively recruiting for a number of years, hoping to reach the full complement of 256 officers. At the same time, the New Bedford Police Union has been working without a contract for 620 days as of this writing.

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However, the department is still listing a number of benefits for those who wish to come work in the Whaling City, including:

Competitive salary
$5,000 sign-on bonus
Paid holidays
Paid sick days
Paid personal days
Paid vacation days
Robust benefits
Overtime opportunities
Rank differential
Educational stipend
Lateral and horizontal growth

Recently, the department announced that Assistant Deputy Chief Derek Belong has been promoted to Deputy Chief, while also announcing the hiring of Debra J. Piehl as Deputy Director of Administrative Operations. New Bedford Police Chief Jason Thody joined the department last summer.

New Bedford Boy With Spina Bifida Gets Inside Look at Police and Fire Station

Joseph Aguilera, a five-year-old New Bedford boy with spina bifida, was WBSM's Mini Miracle for 2022. When we asked Joseph what he wants to be when he grows up, he said he wanted to be a New Bedford Police officer. When the police found out Joseph wants to join their ranks someday, he was invited to tour the South End Public Safety Center and visit the police, fire and animal control departments.

Gallery Credit: Tim Weisberg