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 examinations.
MPTC-authorized Recruit Officer Course Academy Schedules
MPTC oversees municipal academies authorized to operate training academies. Please contact the authorized police academy directly for registration, tuition costs and academy related questions. The MPTC is not involved with the application process for authorized police academies.
ALL APPLICATIONS FOR ENROLMENT MUST BE DONE THROUGH EACH ACADEMY LOCATION DIRECTLY AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CONTACT EACH LOCATION DIRECTLY TO INSURE YOU HAVE THE UP TO DATE DATES. (*) = TENTATIVE DATES
- All student officers must meet the eligibility requirements to enroll
- All police academies operate daily Monday through Friday.
- There are no dormitories (unless noted)
| Academy Location | ROC # | Start Date | Application deadline | 1st pre-entrance Assessment date |
Make up Assessment date |
Orientation Date | Anticipated Graduation Date |
| Boston PD Police Academy | June 28, 2021 | ||||||
| Boston PD Police Academy (*) | |||||||
| Cambridge Police Academy (*) | January 1, 2022 | ||||||
| Cambridge Police Academy (*) | |||||||
| Cape Code Municipal Academy | January 3, 2022 | ||||||
| Cape Code Municipal Academy (*) | |||||||
| Fitchburg State University Police Program | May 17, 2021 | ||||||
| Fitchburg State University Police Program (*) | |||||||
| Lowell Police Academy | June 1, 2021 | ||||||
| Lowell Police Academy (*) | |||||||
| MBTA Police Academy | July 12, 2021 | ||||||
| MBTA Police Academy (*) | |||||||
| Merrimack College | August 30, 2021 | ||||||
| Merrimack College (*) | |||||||
| NECC Police Academy | June 7, 2021 | ||||||
| NECC Police Academy (*) | |||||||
| Springfield Police Department | Fall of 2021 | ||||||
| Springfield Police Department (*) | |||||||
| State Police Municipal Academy | TBD | ||||||
| State Police Municipal Academy (*) | |||||||
| Worcester Police Academy | TBD | ||||||
| Worcester Police Academy (*) | |||||||
| Quinsigamond Community College | September 13, 2021 | ||||||
| Quinsigamond Community College (*) | September 12, 2022 |
Updated: August 9, 2021