The Haverhill, Methuen, Lawrence and Merrimack College police departments saw their newest recruits graduate Friday from the Municipal Police Training Committee-Northern Essex Community College Police Academy.
New, full-time officers are, in Haverhill, Luis Cortes, Colin McMahon and Jordyn O’Boyle; Methuen, Brian Belen, Darren Bistany, Nestor Garcia, Laura Medina and Amanda Saba; Lawrence, Joseph Carroll, Justin Crow, Axel De Leon and Sheralee Hernandez; and Merrimack College, Abaigeal Gilman.
“Graduating from an MPTC Academy represents more than completion of a training program, it marks the beginning of a career dedicated to public service,” said retired colonel and MPTC Executive Director Rick Rathbun. “These graduates have successfully met the demanding standards while receiving modern, evidence-based training that emphasizes professionalism, accountability and commitment to community focused policing. We commend their efforts and look forward to the positive contributions they will make throughout their careers.”
Local officers were among 49 police officers, representing 19 police agencies across Massachusetts, graduating from the Academy’s 9th Recruit Officer Course in a ceremony at Northern Essex Community College’s Haverhill campus.
Other police departments and agencies represented were Amesbury, Bedford, Beverly, Fitchburg, Lexington, Lynn, Malden, Massport, Medford, Melrose, Nahant, North Shore Community College, Salem, Waltham and Winthrop.
Graduates completed more than 20 weeks of intensive, standardized training in all aspects of law enforcement. The Recruit Officer Course provides more than 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 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.