Police Officers In Massachusetts Have The Right To Wear A Union Pin

November 15th, 2007

In January 2000, the Chief of Police in the Town of Oxford ordered all police officers to remove
their MCOP Union Pins. The Oxford Police Association, MCOP Local 173, filed a prohibited
practice charge at the Labor Relations Commission, arguing that the Massachusetts collective
bargaining law guaranteed the right to wear a union pin, even for police officers. The case went
to hearing in 2001. Leigh Panettiere of Sandulli Grace, P.C., represented MCOP Local 173 in
the case. In August 2005, the Labor Relations Commission finally issued its decision, in the
Union’s favor (LRC Case No. MUP-2659). The Town of Oxford appealed. On November 14,
2007, the Town withdrew that appeal, officially ending the case. It is now a settled matter of law
that police officers in Massachusetts have the right to wear a union pin.