- Massachusetts Probation Service
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Video: September 2025 Probation Officer Class Swearing In
Skip this video September 2025 Probation Officer Class Swearing In.
The September Class of 2025 Probation Officer Academy—including 15 new Probation Officers—was sworn in and received their badges before an audience of friends, family, and colleagues during a Graduation and Badge Ceremony held on Friday, September 26th. The new POs represent 12 courts in seven of the state’s 12 counties. This group is the third graduating class from the newly established academy at the Massachusetts Probation Service Training and Operations Center (MTOC).
The Massachusetts Trial Court Honor Guard—featuring Marlborough District Assistant Chief Court Officer Kathleen McGuirk and Fitchburg District Court Officer III Jose Ramos—opened the ceremony, followed by the Massachusetts Corrections Officers Federated Union Pipes and Drums band. Northampton District Court Officer Thomas Bolden sang a stirring rendition of the “National Anthem.”
Massachusetts District Court Chief Justice Stacey Fortes provided the keynote address, in which she congratulated graduates and praised the work of the Massachusetts Probation Service.
“I congratulate and commend you for your hard work, perseverance, and commitment,” Chief Justice said.
Commissioner Ifill told the new PO’s that they are the “avant-garde and the tip of the spear of how we bring equity into the lives of people whose lives somewhere along the way went wrong … As graduates, you reflect the best and the brightest, and we know you will bring a level of justice.”
Massachusetts Trial Court Chief Justice Heidi Brieger spoke about the importance of Probation Officers and their rapport with clients. Chief Brieger described them as “prophets” and advised them to keep the judges informed of their clients and matters involving a case.
Court Administrator Thomas Ambrosino, who also addressed the audience, echoed Commissioner Ifill’s saying, “this is not your grandfather’s Probation Service,” and described the agency as innovative and inclusive.
The three-week academy introduced the PO's to the tools and skills required of their role, including legal principles with a mock courtroom experience, evidence-based practices, dispute interventions, verbal de-escalation and conflict resolution, officer safety, community supervision, and disengagement tactics.
More than 500 people registered to take the Probation Officer Exam recently.
To become a PO candidate, one must first pass the exam, have a college degree, and two years work experience in one of the three following fields: human services, education, or criminal justice.
The recent graduates include:
- Dante Bittle, Norfolk Juvenile Court
- Mackenzie Bourgault, Dudley District Court
- Lindsey Carlson, Falmouth District Court
- Megan DePaolo, Boston Municipal Court (BMC) South Boston
- Wesley Dyer, Barnstable Superior Court
- Abigail Ford, Barnstable District Court
- Michelle Garcia-Vargas, Essex Juvenile Court
- Tiffany Jenkins, Newton District Court
- Christopher Macedo, Gardner District Court
- Stephanie Minkos, Hampden Juvenile Court
- Timothy Murphy, Malden District Court
- Nicole Oliveira, Boston Municipal Court (BMC)-East Boston
- Kyla Perez, Dudley District Court
- Raiza Rivas, Worcester Juvenile Court
- Natasha RIvera, Hampden Juvenile Court
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