Code of Massachusetts Regulations
550 CMR - MUNICIPAL POLICE TRAINING COMMITTEE
Title 550 CMR 3.00 - Requirements for Law Enforcement Officer Training
Section 3.03 - Basic Training Requirements for Law Enforcement Officers
Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(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.
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.
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.