The Southborough Select Board voted unanimously March 18 to appoint Joshua Berman as a full‑time police officer with the Southborough Police Department, with an effective date of April 7.

Chief Brian Newell told the board that Berman “has successfully passed the background investigation, the psychological, and the physical, examinations” and that the department interviewed multiple candidates. Newell said Berman currently works as a full‑time officer for the Brandeis University Police Department and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology from Framingham State University.

The appointment was moved and seconded during the meeting and approved by roll call. The board’s recorded votes were: Tom (vice chair) — aye; Kathy Cook (chair) — aye; Al (Select Board member) — aye; Marguerite (Select Board member) — aye; Sam (Select Board member) — aye. Chief Newell told the board he expects Berman to begin the department’s field training program as a probationary officer in April.

Berman, identified by the chief as a Framingham resident, thanked the board after the vote. The appointment letter presented at the meeting was corrected to show the April 7 effective date rather than the date of the meeting.

The board made the vote during its open session; there were no public comments on the appointment during the public comment period at the start of the meeting.

The Select Board’s formal action clears administrative and onboarding steps but does not itself describe the field training schedule or length of probation beyond the chief’s statement that training will begin in April.