On Monday, May 5, 2008, 50 municipal police recruits reported to the Massachusetts State Police Academy in New Braintree for 21 weeks of recruit police training. The class marked the first time in 21 years that the Massachusetts State Police trained municipal police recruits. This worthwhile endeavor was the result of over a year of planning, innovation and integration with the Municipal Police Training Committee with the support of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

On Friday, September 26, 2008, 44 new police officers representing 22 agencies from across the Commonwealth graduated from the first State Police Municipal Academy in New Braintree. The rainy weather could not dampen the hearts of the members of the graduating class. There was an aura of excitement in the air as the day began with the class conducting graduation rehearsal over and over. As the hour approached for the class to begin prepping for the ceremony, Visitors, family members and distinguished guests began to arrive. The gymnasium was transformed into a gateway to public service.

At approximately 1:30 p.m. the Adjutant's Call was sounded and the ceremony began. Members of the State Police Command Staff, Municipal Police Training Committee and other distinguished guests took the stage. The State Police Color Guard presented the colors before the graduating class marched onto the floor. After a brief demonstration of precision drill, Rev. Johnny Wilson delivered the benediction and Officer James Sullivan of the University of Massachusetts Police Department, one of the graduates, sang the national anthem.

Undersecretary Kurt N. Schwartz of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and Senator Stephen M. Brewer addressed the graduates and their families.



The guest speaker, Chief Mark Leahy of the Northborough Police Department, spoke highly of the training offered to the 1st State Police Municipal Academy, while the keynote speaker, Lt. Col. Marion McGovern of the Department of State Police, urged the graduates to "Remember the commitment you made at your municipal academy and bring that to work with you every day."

The president of the 1st SPMA class, Officer Andrew Couture of the Pittsfield Police Department, spoke to the audience and his classmates about the challenges the class faced and the pride the new officers felt on graduation day.

Many of the newly appointed officers had their badges pinned on by family members or friends, while Lt. Col. McGovern and Chief James Hicks of the Bedford Police Department, chairman of the Municipal Police Training Committee, presented each officer with his or her graduation diploma. Although each officer has achieved significant personal goals, there were several who received special recognition for outstanding performance within their class. Officer Noah Clock of the Amherst Police Department received the top academic award while Officer Craig Guertin of the Leicester Police Department received the top male physical fitness award as well as the Top Gun award for firearms proficiency. Officer Jessica Godfroy of the Pittsfield Police Department received the top female physical fitness award.

The final award, known as the SPMA, an acronym standing for Superior Performance and Motivator Award, was given to Officer Valter Pires of the Milton Police Department. This special recognition award is given to the officer who demonstrated a willingness to go above and beyond the duties and responsibilities of a municipal police officer in training. The criteria for this award, as well as the recipient, was selected by peers within the class.

After the awards were issued the class guidon, a flag bearing the class's motto, was returned to the academy staff and the class was dismissed for the final time.