Code of Massachusetts Regulations
550 CMR - MUNICIPAL POLICE TRAINING COMMITTEE
Title 550 CMR 3.00 - Requirements for Law Enforcement Officer Training
Section 3.10 - Recruit Training - Personal Accountability/Discipline

(1) Standards of Conduct. Recruit training is a structured training environment requiring the highest standards of conduct and respect for authority. Recognition of the authority of superiors is expected at all times. A student officer is expected to show respect for, and obey the lawful orders of, the academy director, program administrator, staff instructors, non-staff instructors, and any other officials or staff of the academy, training program or the Committee, including administrative and support personnel. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary sanctions, up to and including dismissal for disciplinary reasons.

(2) Purpose. The primary purpose of the disciplinary system is to maintain order and discipline among student officers. It prepares student officers to work within a system of policies, procedures, rules and regulations, thus helping to develop the self-discipline necessary to function effectively as a police officer in a position of public trust. It is a surrogate for the progressive disciplinary systems found in police departments, but is designed to be instructional and corrective. Its application teaches personal accountability, encouraging student officers to place a high sense of duty above self-interest, and to accept full responsibility for actions or inactions.