The 13 members of the 8th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) at Fitchburg State were sworn in as police officers on Friday September 12, 2025 before an audience of family, friends, elected leaders and public safety professionals. All of the graduates of our groundbreaking program have already been hired by police departments across the state. As President Donna Hodge told the assembled graduates and audience, “This academy is more than a program, It is a promise. A promise that public higher education and public safety can work hand in hand. A promise that innovation and integrity can meet in the same training ground. A promise that Massachusetts can lead the nation in preparing those who serve and protect." Read the full article here.

This morning President Hodge, Fitchburg State University Police Chief Michael Cloutier, members of the University Police, Military and Veteran Services Director Nolan Buck, university faculty and staff, local dignitaries, and more joined with Fitchburg Fire Department (FFD) at their North Street Headquarters, adjacent to the university, to commemorate lives lost during the attacks on 9/11/2001. The ceremony was held at the 9/11 memorial outside Fire Department headquarters - a piece of a steel beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center anchors the memorial.

Criminal Justice Professor Dr. David Weiss went over the lesson plan for his Domestic Terror & Hate Crime in the McKay Campus School this morning. This course introduces students to the variety of extremist groups within the United States and examines their history, nature, extent and dangerousness. It also explores hate crime, a relatively new responsibility of the criminal justice system. Students will look at the social construction of hate crime and issues concerning its enforcement.

the 8th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) was joined by Massachusetts District Attorney Association, Director of Training Jessica Stone, ADA David Yasinovsky along with interns Justin Xu, and Keiran Clark for mock trial sessions This exercise gives the students a feel for how they will be examined in a court proceeding.

In addition to all of their coursework, physical training, defensive tactics, hands-on training, etc., the Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) staff have stressed the importance of public speaking. Student Officers are expected to be able to speak extemporaneously on a variety of topics daily. This reinforces the students ability to think on their feet and express themselves clearly and concisely. Yet another "soft" skill that will help them succeed as law officers.

Students in the 8th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) began their motor vehicle stops coursework this morning with Spencer Police Sergeant Patrick Waugh.

This afternoon, students in our Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) worked on crash scene investigation with Det. Steve Foley of the Walpole Police Department. Cadets were given various crash incident scenarios, and worked their way through them in real time. Afterward, they received feedback on their performances. Two Criminal Justice students acted as the crash victims.

Students in the 8th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) recently began their crash scene investigation coursework this morning.

Students in the 8th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) recently began their field sobriety coursework.

Students in the 8th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) broke into pairs to investigate domestic violence cases with the aid of local law enforcement personnel to play the role of victim, and friend of the victim, while other officers observed and debriefed the students on their given scenario.