Section 3.03 - 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 he or she is granted an exemption under 550 CMR 3.03(2)(a), are certified by POST pursuant to St. 2020, c. 253, § 102(b), or have been granted a temporary waiver under 550 CMR 3.03(3).(2)Exemption from the Police Academy Training Requirement. In two limited circumstances listed in 550 CMR 3.03(2)(a) and (b) where an appointing/sponsoring agency can demonstrate that an individual has prior training and experience that, when considered together, would be the functional equivalent of having successfully completed a police academy training requirement, the agency head may petition the Committee to exempt that individual from completing the police academy training requirement. The Committee may grant an exemption if the appointing/sponsoring agency has provided sufficient documentation to establish that the individual meets all the requirements of one of the two circumstances in 550 CMR 3.03(2)(a) or (b). The appointing/sponsoring agency will be notified, in writing, within 30 days following the Committee's decision. (a)Out of State Academy Training Exemption Requirements. No individual for whom an appointing/sponsoring agency is seeking an out of state academy training exemption may perform police duties and functions unless and until the exemption request has been granted by the Committee. The requesting agency must provide documentation satisfying the following requirements to make such a request:1. A record of the entry-level police academy the individual attended, the hours of that academy, and the curriculum at the time of attendance,2. All in-service, specialized and other required training courses completed by the individual,3. Documentation that the individual 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, and4. Documentation that the individual has successfully completed 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. 1. A record of the individual's successful completion of a reserve/intermittent training program,2. The individual's successful completion of the MPTC Bridge Academy Training Program, and3. Documentation that the individual has performed 2,400 hours of police duties and functions. MPTC Bridge Academy Training Exemptions will not be approved after January 1, 2027.
(3)Temporary Waiver from the Police Academy Training Requirement. In the event of a documented public safety emergency or other exigent circumstance, an appointing/sponsoring agency may request that a reserve/intermittent officer be elevated to full-time status for a period not to exceed 270 days prior to attending the 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 in 550 CMR 3.03(3)(a), (b) (c). The agency will be notified, in writing, within 30 days following the Committee's decision. No individual may perform police duties and functions on a full-time basis unless and until the temporary waiver has been granted by the Committee. 1. A record of the officer's successful completion of a reserve/intermittent training program,2. The officer's current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) pursuant to M.G.L. c. 111, § 201, and3. The officer's current qualification in the use of firearms by an MPTC certified firearms instructor. During the 270-day waiver period, the officer must become enrolled in and commence attendance at a police academy. Temporary waivers from the police academy training requirement will not be approved after January 1, 2027.
(4)Appointment as a Law Enforcement Officer after Graduation. Within three years of graduating from a police academy, an individual must become certified by POST as a law enforcement officer. Failure to be certified within three years will require the individual to re-attend the police academy. An individual who does not become certified within the three-year requirement due to a documented unavoidable extenuating circumstance such as an injury or physical disability or 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 in-service training requirements missed since graduation prior to performing police duties and functions.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1486, eff. 1/6/2023.