Massachusetts § 53C - Compensatory time off to police officers

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 53C — Compensatory time off to police officers, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 53C. Compensatory time off to police officers

Section 53C. Any police officer, including an officer of the department of state police appointed under section ten of chapter twenty-two C, on duty at night or on vacation, furlough or on a day off, who attends as a witness for the commonwealth in a criminal case pending in a district court, including the municipal court of the city of Boston, or any juvenile court, or the superior court, may, in lieu of the witness fee to which he would otherwise be entitled under section fifty-three or section fifty-three B, as the case may be, be granted such compensatory time off as shall be equal to the time during which he was in attendance at such court, but in no event shall less than three hours compensatory time off be granted him or, if such additional time off cannot be given because of personnel shortage or other cause, he shall, in lieu of said witness fee, be entitled to additional pay for the time during which he was in attendance at such court, but in no event shall he receive less than three hours additional pay.

Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 53C

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 53C cover?

Section 53C ("Compensatory time off to police officers") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Massachusetts § 53C?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 53C" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.

How does Massachusetts § 53C apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.