Memberships

Whoever shall hold the title of Chief of Police under the laws of the Commonwealth and powers of arrest in a municipal police department in any of the four Western Counties of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire) and the towns of Athol and Warren, the University of Massachusetts Amherst Flagship Campus, or a Director of Public Safety at a College or University within the geographically defined boundaries of the W.M.C.O.P.A. performing the duties of a Chief of Police on a full-time basis and with the power and authority of a certified full-time police officer, shall be eligible for active membership with voting and office holding privileges. 

When a permanent Chief of Police, who is a member of the Association, retires from the position he occupies, he may still retain his membership in the Association.

Any Associate Member who is interested in effective law enforcement and who is endorsed by an Active or Life Member of the Association and ratified by a two thirds vote of the current membership of the Gold Badge membership may be considered for membership. Application for Gold Badge Membership must be approved by the active member Chief within whose jurisdiction the proposed member resides. If there is no active member Chief within the jurisdiction the applicant resides, the Membership Committee will determine acceptance.

Any person upon the recommendation of an Active or Life Member, and with unanimous vote of the Board of Directors present and voting at a meeting and upon unanimous concurrence of the Association present and voting may be inducted into the Association as a member.

Any person interested in effective law enforcement who is not an active member of a Police Department and who is endorsed by an Active or Life Member of the Association. Application for Associate Member must be approved by the active member Chief within whose jurisdiction the proposed member resides, if such applicant resides within the four (4) Western Counties.

Liaison Membership rights will be extended to the following:

•  Any Chief of Police from a state bordering the Commonwealth of Massachusetts other than those as defined in Article III, Section 1
• The ranking Officers-In-Charge of Troop B and C of the Massachusetts State Police
• Ranking officers from member agencies designated as, or functioning as, the second-in-command to the Chief
• The elected or appointed District Attorneys of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden Counties, during their term in office
• The elected or appointed Sheriffs of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden Counties, during their term in office, as well as the designated Commanding Officer of their respective Law Enforcement Divisions