Basic Training Requirements for Law Enforcement Officers

(1) Police Academy Training Requirement. Prior to performing police duties and functions an individual shall be assigned to and satisfactorily complete a police academy unless they are granted an exemption under 550 CMR 3.03(2) or a temporary waiver under 550 CMR 3.03(3). (2) Exemption from the Police Academy Training Requirement. In two limited circumstances listed below, an appointing or sponsoring agency may petition the Committee to exempt a law enforcement officer from the requirement of successfully completing an MPTC operated or authorized police academy. To obtain such an exemption, the appointing or sponsoring agency must demonstrate that the officer has prior training and experience that, when considered together, would be the functional equivalent of having successfully completed an MPTC operated or authorized police academy. The appointing or sponsoring agency will be notified, in writing, within 30 days following the Committee's decision. Out of State Academy Training Exemption Requirements. No officer for whom an appointing or sponsoring agency is seeking an out of state academy training exemption may perform part-time or full-time police duties and functions in Massachusetts unless and until the exemption request has been granted by the Committee and the officer has been certified by POST. Before such an exemption can be considered, the requesting agency must provide documentation satisfying the following requirements: 1. A record of the entry-level police academy the individual attended, the hours of that academy, the curriculum at the time of attendance, and proof of the officer's graduation from that academy; 2. In-service, specialized, and other training courses completed by the officer; 3. Documentation that the officer has obtained a minimum of two years of full-time law enforcement experience as a police officer since completion of the entry-level police academy; The officer's current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), or the equivalent, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 111, § 201, M.G.L. c. 6E, § 4(f)(1)(vii), and the Municipal Police Training Committee Annual First Responder Training Standards for Law Enforcement Officers; The officer's current qualification in firearms by an MPTC certified firearms instructor; and Successful completion of the Massachusetts Police Officer Core Competency Assessment. A passing score on the assessment is 70% or higher. An officer may not attempt the assessment more than three times in a 12-month period. (b) MPTC Bridge Academy Training Exemption Requirements. No officer for whom an appointing or sponsoring agency is seeking an MPTC Bridge Academy training exemption may perform full-time police duties and functions in Massachusetts unless and until the exemption request has been granted by the Committee and the officer has been certified by POST. Before such an exemption can be considered, the requesting agency must provide documentation satisfying the following requirements: A record of the officer's successful completion of a reserve/intermittent training program; The officer's successful completion of the required coursework for the Bridge Academy Program; and Documentation that the officer has performed 2,400 hours of police duties and functions. MPTC Bridge Academy Training Exemption requirements must be completed by January 1, Temporary Waiver from the Police Academy Training Requirement. In the event of a documented public safety emergency or other exigent circumstance, an appointing or sponsoring agency may request that a part-time reserve/intermittent officer be elevated to full-time status for a period not to exceed 270 days prior to attending an MPTC operated or authorized police academy. The Committee may grant a temporary waiver if the agency has provided sufficient documentation to establish that the individual meets all of the requirements set forth below. The agency will be notified, in writing, within 30 days following the Committee's decision. No officer may perform police duties and functions on a full-time basis unless and until the temporary waiver has been granted by the Committee. A record of the officer's successful completion of a reserve/intermittent training program; (b) The officer's current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), or the equivalent, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 111, § 201, M.G.L. c. 6E, § 4(f)(1)(vii), and the Municipal Police Training Committee Annual First Responder Training Standards for Law Enforcement Officers; and (c) The officer's current qualification in firearms by an MPTC certified firearms instructor. During the 270-day waiver period, the officer must become enrolled in and commence attendance at an MPTC operated or authorized police academy. Temporary waivers from the police academy training requirement will not be approved after January 1, 2027. Appointment as a Law Enforcement Officer after Graduation. Failure to be certified by POST as a law enforcement officer within three years of graduating from a police academy will require the individual to re-attend an MPTC operated or authorized police academy. An individual who does not become certified within the three-year requirement due to military activation may apply to the Committee to waive this requirement, subject to the training requirements in 550 CMR 3.04. Police academy graduates must complete all Committee mandated on-line in-service training requirements missed since graduation, and be currently certified in CPR and First Aid, or the equivalent, and qualified in the use of firearms by an MPTC-certified firearms instructor, prior to performing police duties and functions.