Press Release: 5/5/2025

Massachusetts State Police Implement Key Training Reforms Ahead of the Incoming Academy Class

 

Initiatives including New Bifurcated Class Structure, Curriculum Enhancement, and Independent Assessment Aim to Strengthen Training and Uphold the Highest Safety Standards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

5/02/2025

MEDIA CONTACT

Timothy McGuirk, Communications

 Phone

Call Timothy McGuirk, Communications at 7814554343

 Online

Email Timothy McGuirk, Communications at timothy.j.mcguirk@pol.state.ma.us

FRAMINGHAM — As part of a comprehensive effort to enhance recruit training and ensure the highest standards of safety and effectiveness, the Massachusetts State Police announce a series of updates ahead of the next Recruit Training Troop (RTT). These new measures include dividing the upcoming class into two smaller cohorts, appointing new Academy leadership and completing an hour-by-hour review of the training curriculum, as well as commissioning the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) to conduct an independent assessment of the State Police Academy. These initiatives reflect the Department’s commitment to ensuring the Academy’s training programs and practices meet the highest standards of safety and effectiveness while addressing the evolving needs of modern policing.

In response to Governor Maura Healey’s directive, the Department has taken steps to align the Academy’s programs, policies and practices with modern public safety needs, evolving societal expectations and best practices. The State Police will bifurcate the next academy class into two smaller groups of recruits. One group will begin in May and the other will begin later this summer. This new structure will allow Academy instructors to better address the individual needs of each recruit, strengthen mentorship, and promote overall readiness. This year’s bifurcated class will serve as a pilot program to assess its impacts on recruits.

“The Massachusetts State Police Academy plays a vital role in preparing the next generation of troopers to protect and serve our communities statewide,” said Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police. “We are committed to ensuring our training environment fosters professionalism and excellence while prioritizing the health and well-being of our recruits.”

Colonel Noble elevated the role of Academy Commandant from the rank of Detective Lieutenant to Captain. He has appointed Captain David Pinkham, a 20-year veteran with a broad range of management experience in field, investigative, and standards and training functions, to serve as the new Commandant of the Academy. In this role, he will oversee the selection of teaching staff for the upcoming RTT. In addition, Academy Staff have completed an hour-by-hour review of recruits’ experiences at the Academy to ensure all training fosters a supportive environment with the appropriate balance of high-intensity activities with periods of rest and recovery. The boxing program remains suspended.

The Department will evaluate the impact and outcomes of these adjustments to determine whether they should be adopted as a model for future RTTs.

In January, the Department released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking to identify independent experts to conduct a comprehensive review. A strategic sourcing team of leaders from across the Department evaluated submissions and recommended IACP for its clear plan to assess the Academy and provide recommendations based on their extensive experience in all areas of training and law enforcement. With support from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the Department approved the selection of the IACP.

The review will focus on critical areas, including, but not limited to:

• Training Programs and Methods: A thorough analysis of all current training modules will be conducted, including physical fitness requirements, classroom instruction, and scenario-based training. The evaluation will focus on the relevance, efficacy, and safety of the paramilitary training model currently in use as it relates to the roles and responsibilities of State Troopers. Additionally, it will consider the curriculum’s alignment with modern policing needs, such as community engagement, de-escalation, and occupationally relevant physical assessments.


• Attrition and Injury Rates: The review will analyze trends in attrition rates for the last ten academy classes, with particular attention to candidate preparation and suitability, causes of dropout, such as injury, academic failure, and voluntary withdrawal. Disparities in attrition rates across gender, race, and other demographic factors will be examined, along with the financial and operational impacts of high attrition rates.


• Injury Prevention and Fitness Standards: The evaluation will assess fitness standards in selection and training to ensure they align with national best practices for injury prevention. They will also review the relevance of physical fitness assessments in selection and training (e.g., running time trials) in relation to the occupational demands of policing and identify gaps in selection processes for recruits' physical and psychological readiness. Recommendations will be provided to strike the appropriate balance between physical stress and injury prevention.


• Organizational Culture and Leadership: The assessment will evaluate the role of academy leadership and instructors in creating a safe and professional training environment. It will also review processes for instructor oversight, accountability, and remediation in cases of misconduct or unsafe practices. The costs and benefits of communal living arrangements on recruits’ mental health, physical health, and overall performance in the Academy and as Troopers will be assessed.


• Alignment with National Standards: The Academy’s practices will be benchmarked against national and international models in police training, including models from POST-certified academies and peer agencies recognized for innovation. An analysis will be conducted to compare the Academy’s training standards and methods to job-based performance metrics from other jurisdictions, as well as evaluate the Academy’s preparedness to address societal changes and evolving public expectations of policing.

The comprehensive evaluation of the Academy’s programming, training methodologies, and organizational culture will provide actionable recommendations aimed at enhancing safety, improving recruit retention, and ensuring sustained excellence. As part of its commitment to transparency and community engagement, the Department will share the findings publicly when they become available.

In addition, the Department continues to cooperate with the independent investigation, led by David Meier, who was appointed by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, into the death of Trooper Enrique Delgado Garcia, who tragically passed away after injuries sustained during a training exercise at the Academy.

“We continue to mourn the loss of Trooper Delgado Garcia and extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones. We remain dedicated to ensuring our Academy’s programs and training practices uphold the highest standards of safety while preparing our recruits to serve with excellence and distinction. These new measures, including the IACP’s assessment, will enhance our training model, reduce attrition, and prepare troopers to meet the demands of modern policing,” added Colonel Noble. “The independent evaluation is a vital investment in the future of Massachusetts law enforcement, helping us to identify areas for growth and ensure a strong foundation of advanced training to support the development of highly skilled, community-focused troopers.”

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