Skip to main content

MPTC Police Academy Scholarship Program

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is committed to increasing municipal police employment opportunities for underrepresented and/or economically disadvantaged individuals.

In support of this commitment, the Massachusetts legislature has established a Police Academy Scholarship to offset $7,000 of upfront police academy enrollment costs for eligible applicants. This initiative represents a strategic investment in the future of public safety by addressing workforce challenges and increasing the pool of highly trained recruits.

Program Objectives

Broaden the Candidate Pool: Enable more individuals to pursue police academy training independently, increasing the number of qualified candidates available for immediate hire by local police departments. 

Reduce Financial Barriers: Offset up to $7,000 in tuition and equipment costs, making police academy enrollment more accessible to those not pre-hired by a department.

Promote Workforce Diversity: Encourage participation from individuals of diverse backgrounds, fostering representation and equity within law enforcement statewide.
 

Use of Scholarship Funds

Scholarship funds are paid directly to approved vendors for eligible services and goods, including but not limited to:

  • Medical evaluation and drug screening
  • Psychological screenings
  • Uniforms and required equipment
  • Academy Tuition
     

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must meet minimum requirements including:

  • Provide proof of Massachusetts residency.
  • Identify as underrepresented in the field of law enforcement or economically disadvantaged.
  • Be at least twenty-one years old upon graduation.
  • Have a valid Driver’s License.
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Pass a background check.
  • Ability to hold a valid Massachusetts Firearms License to Carry.
  • Provide proof of adequate insurance or obtain health insurance and have it remain in effect through the entire police academy program.
  • Successfully pass the Massachusetts Human Resources Division’s medical exam and drug screening.
  • Successfully pass the Massachusetts Human Resources Division’s Physical Ability Test (PAT) for student officer candidates. 
  • Pre-hire psychological exam 
  • Successfully pass the MPTC’s police academy pre-entry Physical Test standards.
     

Police Academy Physical Requirements

In an effort to prevent injuries, there is a physical training requirement to attend a police academy. The MPTC is committed to optimizing the opportunity for all student officers to be successful in completing the Health and Wellness program. In order to meet these goals, student officers must know what to expect ahead of time and must prepare well in advance of the first day of the academy. The most significant factors in this preparation are:

  • weight control
  • aerobic capacity
  • muscular strength
  • endurance
  • flexibility


Download the MPTC Health and Wellness Fitness Preparation Guide for detailed information on preparing for pre-academy evaluations.  A video demonstrating the Entry-level Fitness Standard testing is also available, please note that the assessment now includes planks in place of sit-ups. 
 

Police Academy Locations

Academy placement is determined by available vacancies. The MPTC reserves the right to assign successful applicants to any of the academies listed below, based on space availability. Efforts will be made to avoid undue hardship related to location.

Frequently Asked Questions

See our Frequently Asked Questions About Police Academies page to find answers to the most commonly asked questions.
 

Request Interest Form

To request the MPTC Police Academy Scholarship Program Interest Form, please email: mptc.scholarship@mass.gov

Related Services

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback