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Basic Police Academy Training

Prior to exercising police powers in the Commonwealth, individuals must successfully complete the prescribed course of study for basic police training authorized by the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC).

The Municipal Police Training Committee sets the standards for basic police training for candidates hired by individual police departments throughout the Commonwealth. Those police departments submit applications for their employee (or sponsored candidate) to our recruit academies. Hiring practices vary by department. Certain departments, operating by Civil Service, must follow a selection process set forth by statute, while those departments not covered by Civil Service are free to design their own testing and selection process.

We suggest that you contact Civil Service or your local police department to discuss the hiring process within that community.

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Guide:
Frequently Asked Questions About Police Academies
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Basic Police Academy Training

Recruit Officer Course (ROC)

The Recruit Officer Course (ROC) is an entry-level training curriculum for new police officers. Successful completion of the recruit officer course (ROC) curriculum is required under M.G.L. Chapter 41 §96B to be a sworn municipal, University of Massachusetts, or environmental police officer in the Commonwealth. The ROC is organized into three (I-III) volumes with multiple subtopics. The ROC provides nearly 800 hours of course curriculum designed to prepare student officers for the safe and effective performance of their duties and covers 21st century policing best practices with specific emphasis on the following core principles:

  • problem solving
  • procedural justice
  • ethical decision making
  • fair and impartial policing

The MPTC operates several Police Academies across Massachusetts known as MPTC Operated Academies. Additionally the MPTC authorizes several police academies to conduct basic police training known as MPTC Authorized Police Academies.

What would you like to do?

Top tasks

MPTC Academy Eligibility Requirements  MPTC Operated Police Academy  MPTC Authorized Police Academy 

All other tasks

Request an Exemption or Temporary Waiver from a Full-time Academy  Request Speed Measurement Certification 

What you need to know

Civil Service  Civil Service Police Departments  Veterans Benefits and Transition Act  Employment Opportunities - Police Profession  

Contact Information

Address

MPTC Headquarters
42 Thomas Patten Dr., Randolph, MA 02368
Directions

Phone

Pat Caggiano Call MPTC Recruit Officer Training Coordinators, Pat Caggiano at 781-437-0306

Online

E-mail: Email MPTC Recruit Officer Training Coordinators at Patrick.Caggiano@mass.gov

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