Frequently Asked Questions About Police Academies

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 academies. Hiring practices vary by departments; and 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.

At a minimum, all applicants must meet the requirements below for consideration to attend an MPTC Operated or Authorized Police Academy.

• At least 21 years old upon graduation (See 550 CMR 3: Requirements for Law Enforcement Officer Training)
• Employed or sponsored by a Municipal, Environmental, University of Massachusetts police department or other law enforcement department authorized by the Committee
• Successfully completed a high school education or equivalent
• Pass a state and national background check, including confirmation that the appointed or sponsored candidate is not listed in the national decertification index or the database of decertified law enforcement officers maintained by POST
• Successfully complete the Massachusetts Human Resource Division’s (HRD) Physical Ability Test (PAT) and HRD Medical Exam and Drug Screening
• Have or obtain adequate health insurance coverage for the duration of the police academy

Yes. 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's Health & Wellness Preparation Guide for detailed information on preparing for pre-academy evaluations.

MPTC Operated Police Academy tuition is $3,200.00 per student officer. Tuition is due no later than 7 days prior to the start date of the police academy.

• Student Officer Tuition for an MPTC Operated Police Academy is made in the form of a department or bank certified check made payable to "Municipal Police Training Committee".
• The MPTC Police Academy Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to self-sponsored individuals who identify as underrepresented in the field of law enforcement or economically disadvantaged. 

• Full-time law enforcement officers
• Sponsored candidates. Only after all employed officers on the waiting list are admitted can we secure seats for sponsored candidates.

Seating is based on a first come first served basis, after a completed application has been submitted. All applicants must pass the MPTC Pre-Entrance Assessment at dates and times to be determined. Waitlisted applicants will be used to back fill potential openings.

The MPTC does not maintain a list of chiefs who are willing to sponsor students; however, the sponsoring chief does not need to be the chief of police from the municipality in which you reside.

Any law enforcement agency that is subject to Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) certification requirements may enroll appointed and/or sponsored candidates to attend a full-time police academy. Candidates must meet minimum enrollment requirements set forth at 550 CMR 3.06(1).

Yes; however, it is strongly discouraged. The recruit training program is designed to be a rigorous program with challenging physical and academic requirements. The physical demands involve not only fitness training, but also skills training, such as defensive tactics, firearms, and emergency vehicle operation, all of which require a high degree of stamina and concentration. The recruit training program also requires a great deal of non-academy time for homework, study, and preparation for the next training day. Similarly, please note that the goal of the academy is to prepare you for performance on the street and your career as a police officer. Retention of the knowledge and skills obtained in the academy is critical to success on the street. Insufficient rest and inadequate time to study and prepare will severely and negatively impact retention and application. As a result, due to concerns about your attentiveness and safety during the training and due to our desire that you successfully complete the training and have success as an officer, we strongly discourage working during the academy training.

Recruit officer courses (ROC) are scheduled to meet anticipated demand. As a result, the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) encourages departments to keep the MPTC informed regarding future hiring plans and recruit officer training needs. If you have questions regarding an MPTC police academy, please contact Pat Caggiano at (781) 437-0306 or via email. Please contact your area's full-time police training organization to express interest in attending an authorized police academy.

One of the following courses of action must be taken prior to the firearms segment of the Basic Curriculum:

• The Student Officer must have a Class A License to Carry
• A person with a Class A License to Carry must transport the firearms to and from the range
• The department must make arrangements for the transportation of their firearms to and from the range and place in the safekeeping of an instructor

No. MPTC Operated and Authorized Police Academies operate during the day, Monday through Friday. Student officers go home at the end of each day.

30 days prior to an MPTC operated academy start date, the MPTC will notify departments and candidates of the status of their application.  However, academy registrations may close sooner if sufficient completed application packets are received to fill the class with employed officers. Sponsored applications are only filled on the deadline date if there is room. Priority is given to all employed applicants.

A cruiser is required to attend a full-time police academy for one-week of defensive driving. If your sponsoring department will not provide one for you, you are required to have made arrangements previous to submitting your application. The MPTC does not make recommendations.

No. Tuition does not include the equipment and gear required to attend an police academy. The MPTC maintains a Standard Equipment List (pdf) required by all student officers attending an MPTC Operated or Authorized Police Academy.

When the police department and the applicant receive an official letter of acceptance from the Municipal Police Training Committee Headquarters, the applicant is formally accepted as a student officer and can give notice to their present employer.