- Municipal Police Training Committee
Media Contact
Kayla Rosario-Muñoz, Director of Communications
RANDOLPH — The Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) proudly announces the successful conclusion of the Bridge Academy, a pivotal initiative established under the 2020 landmark police reform law. This academy was designed to provide officers who did not previously attend a full-time police academy with the necessary training to meet the new certification standards set by the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission, an independent state agency established by police reform and tasked with implementing a mandatory certification process for all Massachusetts police officers.
The Bridge Academy, a comprehensive 200-hour training program developed by the MPTC, enabled local officers who were performing police duties and held the power of arrest but had not completed an 800-hour, full-time police academy to earn certification by bridging the gap between any prior training and the new uniform standards now required by law. This initiative has ensured that participating officers complete additional training to provide the skills and knowledge needed to serve communities across Massachusetts with the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and accountability.
The Bridge Academy launched registration in September 2021 and officially concluded operations on June 30, 2024. During the operational period, more than 1,300 officers completed all required academy coursework, including demonstrating 2,400 hours of on-the-job work experience, earning their POST certification, and demonstrating their commitment to upholding the standards of modern policing. Currently, 300 officers continue through the process of certifying 2,400 hours of work experience to earn their POST certification.
“The conclusion of the MPTC’s Bridge Academy reflects a significant milestone in the state’s ongoing efforts to uphold the highest training standards for police officers throughout Massachusetts and meet the requirements of the landmark 2020 police reform law,” said Governor Maura Healey. “In collaboration with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the MPTC continues to work closely with state and local partners to ensure its ability to fulfill police reform requirements, particularly in standardizing training for all law enforcement personnel statewide.”
“Today's announcement underscores our administration's strong commitment to advancing requirements established by police reform and providing local law enforcement with world-class training opportunities. We commend the dedication of the MPTC team for standing up this academy and seeing it through to successful completion,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Additionally, we thank the POST Commission and our municipal partners for their continued collaboration. The 2020 police reform law continues to enhance accountability and transparency in law enforcement statewide. The Bridge Academy was integral to advancing police reform’s goals.”
"The successful completion of the Bridge Academy marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to ensure uniform training standards for law enforcement across Massachusetts," said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy. "This program has been instrumental in advancing the police community’s professional development and ensuring standardized training for those with the extraordinary responsibility of upholding and enforcing the law. I’d like to thank former Public Safety and Security Secretary Thomas Turco, MPTC Executive Director Robert Ferullo, and our many partners and stakeholders who made this accomplishment possible."
"By bridging the gap between prior training and the new standards, the Bridge Academy has provided our officers with crucial updates and skills necessary for modern day law enforcement," said MPTC Executive Director Robert Ferullo (Ret. Police Chief). "We are incredibly proud of the dedication shown by the officers who have participated in this program, and we are confident that they are now better equipped to serve their communities."
“The success of this program highlights the commitment of officers to adapt and excel in their roles, ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities.” said MPTC Chairman, Chief James Hicks, Natick Police Department. “The collaboration of everyone involved has made this crucial initiative to enhance police training and certification standards possible. We look forward to building on this progress as we aim to maintain and enhance the quality of law enforcement training in Massachusetts.”
“The POST Commission is pleased with another major milestone of police reform and congratulates all those officers who graduated from the Bridge Academy. The high-quality training that MPTC provides will help officers be more effective, enable agencies to meet some of the demands placed on them, and ultimately enhance confidence in law enforcement and keep the public safe,” said POST Commission Executive Director Enrique Zuniga.
The Bridge Academy was provided at no tuition cost to student officers. Sponsoring municipal departments were also eligible for a $3,000 grant reimbursement program for each officer who successfully completed the program through the Office of Grants and Research. A total of $1 million was made available for this reimbursement program.
“The police reform law passed by the legislature affected all of the municipal police departments in my district, with many part-time officers being required to receive additional training through the Bridge Academy program. I voted for police reform in 2020 and believe it was my job to help see it through at the local level — by helping local departments and cities and towns pay for the cost of additional training. I've been very pleased to work with Representative Natalie Blais, the MPTC, and EOPSS to secure funding for necessary Bridge Academy programs in this time of transition to ensure municipalities didn't have to shoulder training costs alone.” said Senator Jo Comerford.
“Municipalities across the Commonwealth recognized the importance of conforming with the standardized training requirement, but many were already stretched thin financially,” said State Representative Natalie M. Blais. “This funding was instrumental in ensuring that every officer in every city and town was able to receive the training necessary to ensure the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and accountability.”
"I am grateful for the Healey-Driscoll Administrations continued efforts to raise the standards of policing in the Commonwealth.” said Senator William Brownsberger. “The new training standards and certification process through POST strengthen the trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”
Beyond this significant step forward to improve and reform our standards for law enforcement personnel, the MPTC, in close coordination with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), continues to fulfill its mandate under police reform, including significant advancements:
- Establishing uniform training standards for members of law enforcement in Massachusetts.
- Completing a comprehensive review of 23,000 officer training records to collaborate with POST and the certification process.
- Significantly enhancing training capacity with new and geographically diverse training facilities across Massachusetts.
- Developing regulations and training curricula to equip officers in de-escalation, use of force, leadership, and stress management.
- Engaging national, state, and local community partner subject matter experts to provide advanced training in emerging and essential topics.
The MPTC extends its gratitude to the many partners across the Massachusetts State Legislature, partners within state government, law enforcement agencies, advocacy groups and the community for its support and drive to complete this important work. Additionally, the MPTC notes the remarkable efforts of all the agency instructors and staff who contributed to the success of the Bridge Academy. As we move forward, the MPTC remains committed to providing ongoing training and development opportunities to ensure that Massachusetts law enforcement officers meet the highest standards of excellence.
About the Municipal Police Training Committee
The Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) develops and delivers world-class training across the Commonwealth to 23,000 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, 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 Boylston, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lynnfield, 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.
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