Child Passenger Safety Unit (CPSU)

The CPS Unit has a number of officers trained and certified to inspect & install child/Infant safety seats for any Medford citizen. We do car seat installations by appointment and set aside every Tuesday 4:00 - 8:00 PM (occasionally others dates as well) at the rear police academy bay (behind academy/police station) by appointment only. We care about your safety and your child's safety. So, please ensure your child's car seat is safely secured. We sponsor and participate in a number of Child Safety Checkpoints throughout the metropolitan area.

Child Safety/Car Seat Installations

If you normally advertise in your News Paper, News Letter, or Web Site about the Medford Police Child Protection Safety Seat Inspection / Installation program we have made some changes to our request for appointment process.  

1. We have a NEW PHONE NUMBER. It is   781- 391 – 6776
2. Please call that number and leave a brief message with a call back phone number.
3. Please leave a day time and evening phone number or a cell number
4. The appointments will be on Tuesday Evenings between 4pm and 8pm.
5. The Officers will review these messages on a daily basis and they will call you back to schedule an appointment. (since most officers that are involved in this program work nights, you will probably be called back in the evening)

About the CPS Unit

The CPS Unit (Child Passenger Safety Unit) has many officers trained & certified to inspect & install Child safety seats, they are:

These Medford Officers had to complete the following to obtain their certification:

The child passenger safety technician certification process requires attendance at a 32 hour course including participation in a check-point event. At the completion of the instruction, the individual must pass written & performance evaluations. Individuals must attend update courses and renew their certificate every two years.

-The Unit's mission is to give instruction on the proper installation of child safety seats to ensure the safety of children while traveling in a motor vehicle.

-The unit conducts frequent checkpoints at the Medford Police Station.

-The unit also assists other cities with checkpoints in their communities, please check their webs sites for the locations as they are open to the general public.

CPS General Information:

An infant should be rear facing for one year and 20 lbs. (state law) (recommended to stay rear facing up to 35lbs)

A child must be restrained in a safety seat until age 5

A child safety seat should be secure in a car so that it has less than one inch of movement along the belt.

Children 12 & under should always ride in the back seat. Air bags can seriously injure or kill a child.

Note: Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an airbag.

Massachusetts Child Passenger Safety Law:

Children under 5 years old and weigh less than 40lbs must ride in a child safety seat.

Children under 5 weighing more than 40lbs must ride in a booster seat.

Children 5 and older and weighing more than 40 pounds must wear a safety belt. A booster seat is recommended to ensure the safety belt fits properly.

A police officer can stop your vehicle if a child 12 and under is not properly restrained.
 

Useful Links:

For more information go to www.massghsb.com or www.nhtsa.dot.gov or www.masscps.org

Upcoming Child Passenger Safety Checkpoints

Send mail to Webmaster with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: 04/30/07