Plans For Police Academy In Bucks County Clear Major Hurdle

HARRISBURG, PA — A new Act 120 police academy in Bucks County is one step closer to reality.

At the December meeting of the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC), members gave the Bucks County Community College the approval to submit a full application for a new academy.

“The creation of a new academy will generate additional opportunities for qualified individuals in Bucks County who want to become municipal police officers,” said Michael Corricelli, director of training and curriculum development at MPOETC. “The Bucks County Community College, in partnership with local stakeholders, reports that it is equipped and prepared to create a first-class training center addressing the needs of local police departments looking to identify, recruit, and train tomorrow’s police officers.”

Four other colleges that submitted letters of interest were also approved to submit full applications for new academies. They include Elizabethtown College, Luzerne County Community College, Penn State DuBois (Clearfield County), and Penn West University (Clarion County). A date for submission of full applications has not yet been determined.

State Rep. Brian Munroe, a retired police officer who represents the 144th legislative district in the state House of Representatives and who is a member of MPOETC, voted in favor of the motion.

"In what was a contentious vote, I supported the applications of the five new police academies. I’m happy to say the vote passed," said Munroe.

"This is important for our area as Bucks County currently does not have a police academy. It is my hope that a Bucks County Police Academy will increase recruitment of new police officers from within our neighborhoods."

He added, "For me, it's a no-brainer. We need the recruitment. New police academies offer up new recruitment opportunities."

Other police academies in the area include Delaware County Police Academy, Temple University, and the Montgomery County Police Academy.

The 144th legislative district includes Warrington Township, Warminster Township, Ivyland Borough and parts of New Britain Township. Munroe is the only state representative who is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police.