Crime
59 police officers across Bristol, Plymouth, Cape Cod, Norfolk counties graduate from MPTC Plymouth Police Academy
PLYMOUTH – Today, the Municipal Police Training Committee Executive Director Colonel Rick Rathbun (Ret.) and Plymouth Academy Director Eileen Goodick announced the graduation of 59 police officers from the MPTC Plymouth Police Academy’s 79th Recruit Officer Class. The graduates successfully completed over 20 weeks of intensive, standardized training in all aspects of law enforcement and will now serve as full-time officers representing 26 police agencies across Massachusetts.
“Graduating from an MPTC academy represents a significant milestone for our newest officers and reflects months of dedication, discipline, and a genuine commitment to public service.” said MPTC Executive Director Colonel Rick Rathbun (Ret.). “The training they have received represents the highest standards in modern policing, emphasizing professionalism, accountability, and community trust. We are confident they are prepared to lead with integrity and respect for the communities they will serve.”
In a graduation ceremony at the Plymouth Memorial Hall earlier today, members of the 79th ROC took an oath and received their badges for service. The new officers represented several police departments and agencies, including Barnstable, Boston College, Bourne, Braintree, Chatham, Edgartown, Fall River, Harwich, Holden, Marion, Mashpee, Medway, Needham, New Bedford, North Attleboro, Orleans, Rockland, Sandwich, Simmons, Stoughton, Taunton, Tisbury, Truro, Wellfleet, West Bridgewater, and Weymouth. They join nearly 250 officers who have graduated from MPTC Operated Academies in training year 2025-2026.
As part of the MPTC’s police training, the Recruit Officer Course provides over 800 hours of course curriculum designed to prepare student officers for the safe and effective performance of their duties. In keeping with mandates established by the landmark 2020 police reform law, the MPTC curriculum includes de-escalation training based on new use-of-force policies and regulations. Student officers also receive uniform training based on best practices related to essential modern-day policing needs, including effective communication skills, victim-centered and trauma-informed incident response, missing persons and human trafficking investigations, mental health-related emergency response, active shooter and hostile event response, patrol duties, and officer safety and wellness.
Upon successful completion of the Academy, student officers have met all training requirements to be eligible for Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission certification.