Students enrolled in the Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) had their last monthly meeting of the semester yesterday afternoon in Weston Auditorium. At this meeting, the Drill Instructor (DI) had a "hats off" conversation with the students. When a DI has a “Hats off” conversation with a group, it’s a signal to the group that it will be an open discussion, it’s a time to teach/mentor/coach and a time for the group to relax just a bit. When the hat goes back on, it’s a signal that the DI is back in the traditional DI role.

Today, students in Professor Michael S. McCutcheon's Criminal Investigation course got to try their hands at making a moulage - a mold of a footprint used in criminal investigation. After leaving their own footprints in the ground outside of the McKay Campus School, the students made a mix of dental stone & water and filled their  prints. Once dry, they will clean them off and use to find specific landmarks unique to their print. This course enables students to understand the fundamentals of the criminal investigation process. They explore investigative techniques in crime scene search, collection and use of evidence and information. Learn more about our Criminal Justice Program here.

 Students enrolled in the Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) had their monthly meeting this afternoon in Weston Auditorium. Students were addressed by Academy Director Lisa Lane McCarty, and Sergeant Steven Fugere of the Sterling Police. Uniform inspections were performed by members of the program's staff.

The 21 members of the5th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) at Fitchburg State were sworn in as police officers on Friday before an audience of family, friends, elected leaders and public safety professionals. Most of the graduates of our groundbreaking program have already been hired by police departments across the state. As the executive director of the Municipal Police Training Committee told the assembled graduates, they are poised to be future leaders in their profession. Good luck!

Watch the ceremony here.

Lisa Lane McCarty, Director of the Fitchburg State University Police Program, program staff, and the 5th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) held a walk-through for tomorrow morning's Police Program Graduation: 5th ROC. Expected at the ceremony are President Lapidus, local dignitaries, members of police departments from across Massachusetts, as well as proud family members.

 This morning, Somerville Police Department Detective Mario Oliveira (Ret.) shared his poignant story with the 5th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC). On November 2, 2010, while assigned to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives Boston Field office as a Task Force Agent, Detective, Detective Oliveira was shot six times at point blank range while serving a Federal arrest warrant. 

Today, Sgt. Justin Starkus of the Auburn MA Police Department instructed the 5th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) how to administer a breathalyzer exam after an OUI stop. After extensive instructions and quizzing, the recruits were tasked with successfully completing all the steps legally necessary to perform the breathalyzer test. Sgt. Starkus reviewed the completed tests for procedural accuracy.

This week, the 5th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) is off campus for their Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC). This morning, students worked on braking.

This morning, the 5th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) had their MPTC-required 8 week PT Assessment at a local track. They had to hit the 40% Cooper standards for their age and gender for sit ups, push-ups, a mile and a half run, and a 300 meter sprint. These photos are of the timed  mile and a half run.