Over 200 New Mass. State Troopers Welcomed

Governor Deval Patrick, Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, Public Safety Secretary Mary Beth Heffernan and Colonel Marian McGovern today welcomed the 80th Recruit Training Troop to the ranks of the Massachusetts State Police.

Among those welcomed to the State Police ranks were James B. Coyle and David M. DiCrescenzo of Norwood.

The 208 trainees were appointed to the rank of trooper at their State Police Academy Graduation Ceremony at the DCU Center in Worcester.

“These graduates hold the honor of being the largest, most highly trained class the academy has ever produced, and the first in over five years,” said Governor Patrick. “I am pleased that we were able to secure the resources to make this happen for the State Police class, which includes some of the bravest, strongest and smartest citizens from every corner of the Commonwealth. 

This class includes former police officers, firefighters, attorneys, health care professionals, military sergeants, business professionals and teachers. 

“The 80th Recruit Training Troop represents a unique class of hard working men and women, who have endured significant academic and physical training to achieve this accomplishment,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray. “The class includes almost a majority of veterans, some of which have served most recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am proud to join the Governor in honoring all members of this class as they move forward to work together and protect communities across our Commonwealth.”

Of those graduating troopers, 103 are veterans and of those, 80 veteran graduates served tours of duty in Afghanistan, Iraq or both. These graduates have received the highest level of training ever offered to members of the department, which began in mid-October and lasted 21 weeks. Training curriculum included classroom study, physical training, defensive tactics and real-world law enforcement scenarios. These graduates participated in over 75 cutting-edge scenario-based exercises during the course of their training along with traditional academic and physical training. 

Early next week, the new troopers will begin a three month break-in period where they will be assigned to road patrols with a field training officer. The new troopers will increase police presence on state highways and roads, as all of the trainees will begin their careers as road troopers.

“This is the most prepared, well-trained class the State Police has ever graduated,” said Secretary Heffernan. “They are sorely needed within the ranks of the Department and in the communities they will serve, and we are anxious for their tours of duty to get underway.”

Due to attrition, the Commonwealth is currently down approximately 500 troopers from its most recent high point in the fall of 2006. The new troopers will increase police presence on state highways and roads, as all of the trainees will begin their careers as road troopers.

“Your commandant, your training directors, your drill instructors, your firearms and fitness and defensive tactics instructors have all given you the tools you need to succeed,” said Colonel McGovern. “That is, all the tools but one. The final piece, the quality upon which all the other skills and tools depend, is found inside each one of you. You brought it with you when you arrived in New Braintree that Monday morning in October more than five months ago. That quality is called heart and the fire that burns within it, that animates all you have learned. It is your heart that will allow you to be brave in the face of danger, relentless in your pursuit of justice, fair in your interactions with the public, and compassionate to those who look to you for help in their most vulnerable moments.”