Massachusetts cop seeks age waiver to take firefighter exam

By Mike LaBella
The Eagle's Tribune

HAVERHILL, Mass. — A Haverhill police officer is looking to trade in her service pistol for an ax in hopes of becoming a firefighter, while a Haverhill man who has worked in the justice system and in security jobs wants to become a police officer.

Both are requesting an age exemption to take their respective civil service exams and are seeking help from the city council.

When it meets Tuesday evening, the council is expected to vote on submitting Home Rule-related petitions to the state Legislature on behalf of Haverhill Police Patrolwoman Christina Rodriguez and Haverhill resident Gustavo Romero.

Applicants over the age of 32 at the time of examination must submit a petition. The local self-governance petition allows towns like Haverhill to seek special permission for purposes like this.

Both Rodriguez and Romero sought the support of Ward 7 Councilwoman Catherine Rogers in presenting their petitions to council.

“I recommend removing the age limit to allow Christina Rodriguez to become a firefighter and Gustavo Romero to become a police officer,” Rogers said.

Rodriguez, who turned 32 in April, plans to take the firefighter civil service exam in October and is concerned that his paperwork won't be completed until he turns 33.

“I am requesting an exemption now because the process can take months,” she said.

A member of the Haverhill Police Department since 2020, Rodriguez wants to continue serving her community as a firefighter, which she says would better fit her personal life.

“I have two young children; my husband is a hitting coach for the Cardinals High A team and travels a lot; and I operate our baseball training facility in Lynn,” she said. “And since I already respond to emergencies, it would be a similar but different style of work.”

A military police officer in the U.S. Army Reserve since 2013, Rodriguez said in a letter to the council that as a Haverhill police officer, she has built a unique and strong community relationship with the citizens of Haverhill and came to understand the challenges and needs of the community. .

“Responding to calls alongside members of the Haverhill Fire Department has broadened my mindset and allowed me to understand how important police and firefighters are to the community,” she said .

Rodriguez also noted that she earned her Integrated Communications, Assessments and Tactics Instructor certification in 2021 and that as an ICAT trainer, joining the Haverhill Fire Department will benefit her understanding and crisis response techniques.

Awards received by Rodriguez include recognition for “Service Above Self” in 2021 by the House of Representatives and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In his letter to the council, Romero, 34, said he was seeking an age waiver in hopes of joining the Haverhill Police Department.

“Due to the age limit of 32, I am unable to continue my candidacy with the Haverhill Police Department,” he said. “I took the civil service exam at age 33 and was selected as a candidate.”

Romero said he worked for the trial courts of Massachusetts, where he developed a passion for public service and community involvement.

“I have gained an incredible amount of knowledge about Massachusetts laws and procedures during my six years working for the courts,” Romero said. “Becoming a police officer has been a lifelong dream and I firmly believe that now is the right time to pursue a career in law enforcement.”

Romero said he has lived in Haverhill for several years and believes it is his duty to serve and protect the people of Haverhill.

His professional experience includes serving as chief accounting clerk for the Somerville District Court, senior security officer at Winchester Hospital, and intelligence officer for an executive protection company. He majored in criminal justice at a community college in Ohio.

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