Charlestown Man, 50, Seeks to Join BPD 10 Years Past Age Limit

Ed Grace, the 50-year-old chairman of the Charlestown Neighborhood Council's public safety committee is asking a pair of Boston City Councilors to allow him to become a Boston Police Officer, even though he is 10 years older than the city's maximum age limit. 

The Auburn Street resident is asking District 1 City Councilor Sal LaMattina and City Council President Stephen Murphy to allow a one-time waiver of the age limit.

Grace said he wants to join the force because his grandfather was a decorated Boston police detective and the essential work the police do is helping people. 

This the second time Grace, who is a runner who competes in marathons – last year he ran the Boston Firefighters 10K in 59 minutes and 51 seconds – attempted to be a police officer, the previous time in 2008 when State Rep. Eugene O’Flaherty supported an exception.

“What I’ve said, time and time again, is that I’m asking for an opportunity,” said Grace, a salesman for Anheuser-Busch and a marathoner who belongs to South Boston’s L Street Running Club, according to the Boston Herald. 

While he has Murphy's backing, the Police Department believes the current maximum age requirements best serve the department’s overall mission.