Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 22C, § 26A

(a) The colonel may promote uniformed members to the title of captain. To be eligible for promotion to the title of captain, a uniformed member shall: (i) successfully pass a promotional examination which may include a written test, an assessment process designed to evaluate a member’s knowledge, skills and abilities related to the position or a combination of an examination and an assessment process; (ii) have not less than 2 cumulative years of service in the title of lieutenant or detective lieutenant before the final date for the filing of applications for the promotional examination; and (iii) have not less than 15 years of service as a uniformed member before the final date for the filing of applications for the promotional examination. The assessment process, if utilized, and the written test, if utilized, shall be developed in consultation with, and validated by, a certified organizational psychologist.

(b) The colonel may promulgate regulations providing additional promotional criteria for the title of captain, which may include demonstration of leadership attributes, employment history inside and outside of the department, disciplinary history, professional development and other criteria the colonel reasonably concludes are related to the performance of the job of captain.