MAPLE FILES LANDMARK POLICE REFORM BILL

The Massachusetts Association for Professional Law Enforcement (MAPLE) has filed a landmark legislative proposal, that will increase the educational requirement to become a police officer in this Commonwealth.  Senate Bill SD3826, filed by State Senator John Cronin, at the request of Dennis Galvin, President of MAPLE, would require that all candidates seeking employment with any Massachusetts Police agency, complete 60 credit hours of college level academic training, to be eligible for appointment.  This would change the current requirement  from a High School diploma or GED, to 60 hours of academic credit from a college, university or junior college, in the fields of Criminal Justice, Police Science, or any field of study approved by the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training  Commission.

This bill represents the most significant police reform legislation since the creation of the Massachusetts POST Commission in 2020.  The commission has greatly improved the accountability of police officers; MAPLE’s police education bill seeks to improve their capabilities. This legislation was filed because policing in contemporary American society requires a broad base of knowledge in law, history, psychology, language, ethics and the physical sciences, in order for officers to effectively perform their dutiesk. 

Current state sponsored police training focuses primarily on practical and tactical training, which is necessary, however, the demands of today’s society require additional preparation, which can only be provided in an academic setting.  The aim of the bill is to produce police officers, who are better adapted to performing their duties in an increasingly complex society.  It would provide police agencies with a key indicator of professional aptitude during hiringassessments; ensure the skills necessary to facilitate community policing, andhelp inject positive features into police culture. It is also expected to broaden and diversify the hiring pool.  

​This bill is currently in the Senate Rules Committee.  We urge those who support this initiative, to contact your state senator and representative and express your support.