Meet the 54 New Heroes in Blue: Massachusetts Just Got a Major Police Upgrade!

BOSTON, MA – Massachusetts just added a new wave of police officers to its ranks. Fifty-four recruits from 24 different departments across the state have officially graduated from the Randolph Police Academy, completing over 800 hours of intensive law enforcement training.

These new officers represent a wide range of communities, from city departments like Brockton and New Bedford to college campuses like UMass Boston and Salem State University. They were part of the 21st Recruit Officer Class (ROC), a program run by the state’s Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC).

The graduation ceremony, held at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, marked the end of a challenging 20-week program and the beginning of full-time law enforcement careers for these recruits.

Colonel Rick Rathbun, Executive Director of the MPTC and a retired State Police colonel, praised the graduates for their dedication and resilience. “This class showed an unwavering commitment to public service,” Rathbun said. “They are now ready to meet the demands of modern policing in Massachusetts.”

The academy training wasn’t just about traditional law enforcement tactics. It also included instruction on de-escalation techniques, mental health crisis response, active shooter scenarios, and even how to handle cases involving human trafficking and missing persons. These updates reflect recent police reforms aimed at building trust and improving safety within communities.

All graduates are now eligible to be certified by the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission, which oversees officer standards and accountability in the state.

This new class of officers is part of a broader effort to modernize and professionalize policing in Massachusetts. Over 500 officers have graduated from MPTC-run academies during the 2024–2025 training year alone.

As these newly trained officers head into their respective communities, residents can expect a new generation of law enforcement—better prepared, more accountable, and focused on serving with integrity.