Press Release  Local Police Officers Graduate from the MPTC Police Academy

WORCESTER — The Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) Executive Director Colonel Rick Rathbun (Ret.) and Marlborough Academy Director Lisa A. Lane announced the graduation of 57 police officers from the MPTC Marlborough Police Academy’s 2nd 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 35 police agencies across Massachusetts. 

“Graduation marks an important milestone for both these graduates and the communities they will serve. Law Enforcement professionals are expected to possess a diverse set of skills, exercise sound judgement, and adapt to an ever-changing public safety landscape. Throughout this academy, these graduates have completed standardized training that reflects current best practices and the evolving needs of the profession. We are proud of their accomplishments and confident in their ability to make a positive impact in their communities.” said MPTC Executive Director Colonel Rick Rathbun (Ret.). 

In a graduation ceremony at the Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester on Thursday, October 22, 2026, members of the 2nd ROC took an oath and received their badges for service. The new officers represented several police departments and agencies, including Acton, Ashburnham, Bellingham, Berlin, Blackstone, Canton, Carlisle, Egremont, Falmouth, Fitchburg, Grafton, Hubbardston, Hudson, Leominster, Massport, Medway, Natick, Needham, Newton, North Attleboro, Norwood, Plainville, Princeton, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Shrewsbury, Somerville, Southborough, Stow, Tewksbury, UMASS Chan Medical School, Upton, Waltham, Whitman, and Worcester County Sheriff's Office. They join nearly 150 officers who have graduated 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, and the MA National Guard Civilian Academy. 

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