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 takes 20 weeks to complete 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
Physical Requirements
All 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 and endurance, and flexibility. Download the MPTC Health and Wellness Fitness Preparation Guide to assist with preparing to attend the police academy.
Minimum Requirements
Student officers must (1) be a minimum of 21 years old; (2) be employed or sponsored by a municipal, Environmental, or University of Massachusetts police department or other law enforcement department authorized by the Committee; and (3) successfully complete the Massachusetts Human Resource Division's Physical Ability Test (PAT) and medical examination.
MPTC ROC Police Academy Schedules
- All student officers must meet the eligibility requirements to enroll.
- Tuition is $3,200.00. Learn more about student officer tuition and payments for MPTC-operated police academies.
- All police academies operate daily Monday through Friday. There are no dormitories.
- Registration: Log into the MPTC Acadis Portal to register at an MPTC Police Academy. ROC Academy classes are published in the Acadis Portal when open for registration. Submissions must have all required prerequisites completed and included for consideration. Applicants are seated on a first come, first serve basis. Incomplete submissions will be denied, allowing for the completion of the application. Seats cannot be held or reserved. Seating and available seating information is available and up to date on the Acadis Portal. Waitlisted applicants will be invited to the assessments to backfill potential open seats.
- All medical and PAT exams must be valid on Day One of the academy.
- It is the Department's responsibility to ensure these exams are up to date.
Note: Below is a list of upcoming MPTC ROC academies. Available seats may be viewed in the Acadis Portal. To register, please see the Recruit Officer Course Acadis Registration Guide for Departments.
Registration is available through the MPTC ACADIS Training Portal.
MPTC-operated Full-time Police Academy Start Dates (Dates listed may be subject to change.)
ROC Academy classes are published in the Acadis Portal when open for registration.
Updated: October 24, 2024
Academy | ROC | Start Date | Application Deadline (by 3:00 p.m.) | 1st Pre-entrance Assessment | Make-up Assessment | Orientation | Graduation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Holyoke | 4th | Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 | Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 | Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 | Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 | Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 | Friday, May 16, 2025 |
East Falmouth | 1st | Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 | Friday, Nov. 22, 2024 | Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 | Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024 | Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 | Friday, June 6, 2025 |
Randolph | 21st | Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 | Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024 | Monday, Dec. 2, 2024 | Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 | Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 | Friday, June 13, 2025 |
Boylston | 35th | Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 | Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 | Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 | Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 | Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 | Friday, June 13, 2025 |
Plymouth | 78th | Monday, March 3, 2025 | Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 | Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 | Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 | Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 | Friday, Aug. 1, 2025 |
NECC | 7th | Monday, Mar. 3, 2025 | Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 | Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 | Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 | Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025 | Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025 |