Press Release  Local Police Officers Graduate from the MPTC Police Academy

Brockton — Today, theMunicipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) Executive Director Colonel Rick Rathbun (Ret.) and Randolph Interim Academy Director Sgt. Frank Eldridge (Ret.) announced the graduation of 52 police officers from the MPTC Randolph Police Academy’s 23rd Recruit Officer Course (ROC). The graduates successfully completed over 20 weeks of intensive, standardized training in all aspects of law enforcement and will now serve as full-time officers representing 20 police agencies across Massachusetts. 

“Graduating from an MPTC Academy is a significant achievement that reflects the dedication, professionalism, and perseverance required of today’s public safety professionals.” said MPTC Executive Director Colonel Rick Rathbun (Ret.). “These graduates have met rigorous standards and completed comprehensive, standardized training designed to prepare them for the complex challenges of modern policing. We congratulate them on this accomplishment and their commitment to serving their communities.”

In a graduation ceremony at Brockton High School earlier today, members of the 23rd ROC took an oath and received their badges for service. The new officers represent several police departments and agencies, including Attleboro, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Bourne, Bristol County Sheriff’s, Brockton, Chelsea, Dighton, Gloucester, Massachusetts Environmental Police, New Bedford, Newton, North Reading, Plymouth, Seekonk, Stoughton, Swampscott, Taunton and Wayland. They are the first officers to graduate from MPTC-operated academies in training year 2026-2027.

As part of the MPTC’s commitment to academic excellence and world-class police training, the Recruit Officer Course (ROC) provides over 800 hours of course curriculum designed to prepare student officers for the safe and effective performance of their duties. In keeping with mandates established by the landmark 2020 police reform law, the MPTC curriculum includes de-escalation training based on new use-of-force policies and regulations. Student officers also receive uniform training based on best practices related to essential modern-day policing needs, including effective communication skills, victim-centered and trauma-informed incident response, missing persons and human trafficking investigations, mental health-related emergency response, active shooter and hostile event response, patrol duties, and officer safety and wellness.

Upon successful completion of the Academy, student officers have met all training requirements to be eligible for Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission certification.

About the Municipal Police Training Committee: 

The Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) develops and delivers world-class training across the Commonwealth to more than 20,000 officers at every stage of their careers, ranging from basic training for new officers to mandatory and specialized professional development training. An agency within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), MPTC is responsible for the statewide standardization of police training, delivering a modernized training program that aligns with national best practices, public expectations, and legislative mandates put forward by the 2020 police reform law. MPTC operates a network of convenient regional academies and authorizes independent academies that meet the Agency’s standard of excellence.  

In addition to municipal officers, MPTC ensures the highest training standards for MBTA Police Officers, Environmental Police Officers, UMass Campus Police Officers, Campus Police Officers, and Deputy Sheriffs performing Police duties and functions. 

The MPTC operates Police Academies in East Falmouth, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lynnfield, Marlborough, Plymouth and Randolph. The MPTC also authorizes full-time academies with the Boston Police Academy, Cambridge Police Academy – Northeastern University, Fitchburg State University Police Program, Lowell Police Academy, MBTA Police Academy, Springfield Police Academy, Worcester Police Academy, Quinsigamond Community College, and the MA National Guard Civilian Academy. 

Media Contact: Kayla Rosario-Muñoz, Kayla.Rosario-Munoz@mass.gov

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