Minimum requirements for all student officers
- 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
What you should know
| How to register: |
|---|
|
|
- Sponsorship: In order for you to attend a police academy, you must be hired or sponsored by a chief of police in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. You must obtain this sponsorship yourself if you are not hired. We do not make recommendations.
- Employment: If you are not hired, sponsorship does not guarantee employment with the sponsoring department or any other agency. (See 550 CMR 3.03 (4) of the MPTC CMRs Regulating Training)
- Comprehensive Medical Exam: The Municipal Police Training Committee’s policy requires the student officer's comprehensive medical exam must be valid (unexpired) on the start date of an academy.
- Entry-Level Fitness Standards: Effective September 1, 2019, all students entering any MPTC Operated or Authorized Police Academy will be required to pass an MPTC fitness test comprised of four (4) events. Download the MPTC's Health & Wellness Preparation Guide for detailed information on preparing for pre-academy evaluations..
- Health Insurance: All student officers are required to have full health insurance coverage starting the first day. It will be the responsibility of the sponsoring chief to verify insurance coverage as verified in the MPTC application.
- Tuition: Tuition is $3,200.00 per student officer, due seven (7) days prior to the start of an MPTC police academy.
- Firearms: Firearms and ammunition are not included in tuition.
- Required Equipment: Tuition does not include required equipment and gear listed on the MPTC Standard Equipment List.
- Dormitories: Police academies operate weekdays Monday through Friday.
Note: A Cruiser is needed for one week of Defensive Driving - If the sponsoring department is unable to provide a cruiser, the department must make alternate arrangements.