Today, family members and other honored guests came to see the 6th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) in action, and to learn more about the groundbreaking program that university and state leaders hope marks a new direction for the police profession.
After initial remarks from Academy Director Lisa Lane McCarty, Fitchburg State President Richard S. Lapidus told the crowd of parents, grandparents, siblings and friends gathered for the family orientation program, “We are particularly proud of this program, What makes this program unique is its combination of policing theory and practice, embedded in the curriculum. The world of policing is changing, and we believe we’re providing a new way of thinking about the profession.”
Massachusetts Assistant Undersecretary for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Angela F. Davis added, “It’s been an honor to support your recruits,” she said. “We’re so fortunate to have an articulation agreement with an institution of higher education of this caliber. You can take comfort knowing this program and the team that’s been assembled is pretty incredible. To all of you, you should be very, very proud of your recruits, because we are.”
Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) Executive Director Robert Ferullo, the retired chief of police for the city of Woburn, described his own commitment to Fitchburg State’s program, which has drawn national and international attention. “This program turns out future leaders,” he said. “The new generation of educated police officers will build a new police profession.”
State Rep. Michael Kushmerek and Beth Walsh from State Sen. John Cronin’s office, Fitchburg State University Police Chief Michael Cloutier, and Trustee Jennifer Flannigan were also among the guests at this week’s family orientation and offered their support for the program.
Guests then heard from Academy Director Lisa Lane McCarty and members of her academy staff, which includes full-time police officers from other communities as instructors. Lane shared the personal connections she has made with all of the recruits and described her belief in their future success. While the academy curriculum and physical requirements are demanding, Lane told the families to know the drill staff are rooting for all of the officers to thrive.
Afterwards, guests were invited to observe the recruits during their first day of crash investigation/traffic stop scenarios.
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