By Bob Katzen

The House, on a voice vote without a roll call, gave initial approval to two bills that would raise the age at which a person can become a police officer.

The first measure, approved as a home rule petition in Boston and sponsored by Rep. Adrian Madaro (D-East Boston) would increase from 40 to 45 the current maximum age requirement for those seeking to enter the Boston Police Academy. Madaro said the current limit of age 40 excludes many capable Boston residents during an ongoing officer shortage in several Boston neighborhoods. He argued that raising the maximum age to 45 would expand the pool of eligible applicants, strengthen community representation and support the timely recruitment of experienced individuals to meet the city’s public safety needs.

The second measure would increase from 32 to 39 the maximum age of eligibility to be certified for original appointment as a police officer in Worcester. “Making sure the city of Worcester has the resources and manpower to keep its residents safe is one of my top priorities in the Legislature,” said sponsor Sen. Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “By increasing the age of eligibility for the Worcester Police Department, we’d be expanding the pool of qualified and capable candidates to do these tough jobs.”