Academy > FAQ
Application Process
- How do I obtain an application?
- Who is authorized to sign my application?
- Where do I send the application?
- Will I be notified of my acceptance into the Basic Reserve/Intermittent training class?
- What is the cost of the Basic Reserve/Intermittent training course?
- Do you accept cash or personal checks?
- Who do I make the bank check or money order payable to for the training fee?
- Are there any books or study material(s) that are needed for the program?
- How much do the books cost?
- Do I need medical insurance to attend the training?
- What must be submitted to be accepted into the Basic Reserve/Intermittent training class?
- Are there uniform requirements for attending the Basic Reserve/Intermittent training class?
- What should I wear for clothing the first night of training?
- Where is S.T.C.C. located?
- Where are the classes held at S.T.C.C.
- Where do I park my vehicle while on the S.T.C.C. Campus?
- What time does the first class begin?
- What time do classes start after the first day?
- How many hours is the Basic Reserve/Intermittent Training?
- Am I required to attend all classes?
- How will I know if classes are cancelled?
- What additional equipment will be needed for the training?
- Will I receive a certificate of completion for this training?
Application Process
Q. How do I obtain an application?
Applications should be available at the police agency that is sponsoring you or, applications can be downloaded from this website located in the "Forms" section.
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Q. Who is authorized to sign my application?
Only the Chief of Police can sign your application, any other signature will not be accepted.
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Q. Where do I send the application?
Once your application is approved and signed by the sponsoring Chief of Police, please send your application to the following address:
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Q. Will I be notified of my acceptance into the Basic Reserve/Intermittent training class?
Yes. You will receive a letter of acceptance from the Coordinator of Training. This letter will be mailed to the address provided on the submitted application.
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Q. What is the cost of the Basic Reserve/Intermittent training course?
The cost of the course is $400.00. This fee is required to be submitted prior to the first day of class. The fee should be mailed with your application.
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Q. Do you accept cash or personal checks?
No. The only form of payment accepted is bank check or money order. No personal checks or cash will be accepted.
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Q. Who do I make the bank check or money order payable to for the training fee?
The bank check or money order must be made payable to the Western Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association (WMCOPA) in the amount of $400.00.
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Q. Are there any books or study material(s) that are needed for the program?
Yes. Currently, the Basic Reserve/Intermittent training class uses the Law & Procedure Cruiser Guide and the Motor Vehicle Law Cruiser Guide both published by Law Enforcement Dimensions.
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Q. How much do the books cost?
The cost of the Cruiser Pack, containing both the Law & Procedure and Motor Vehicle Law Cruiser Guides, is $75.00. When sending in your application, included should be a bank check or money order in the amount of $75.00 made payable to L.E.D.
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Q. Do I need medical insurance to attend the training?
Yes. When you mail your application you must include proof of medical insurance. This can be a photo copy of your medical card or paperwork that indicates you are actively enrolled in an medical insurance program.
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Q. What must be submitted to be accepted into the Basic Reserve/Intermittent training class?
You must submit the following:
- Properly approved application signed by the Chief of Police
- Proof of medical insurance
- Bank check or money order in the amount of $400.00 payable to W.M.C.O.P.A.
- Bank check or money order in the amount of $75.00 payable to L.E.D.
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Preparing for the first day of class
Q. Are there uniform requirements for attending the Basic Reserve/Intermittent training class?
Yes. In the "Forms" section, click on "Uniforms" and this will provide you with the minimum uniform requirements.
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Q. What should I wear for clothing the first night of training?
All student officers are required to be in the academy uniform. For the first night, the long sleeve shirt must be worn. Unifrorms are expected to be neatly pressed and boots should be clean and shined. Uniform changes beyond the first class will be at the discretion of the class Program Manager.
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Q. Where is S.T.C.C. located?
Directions to Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) can be downloaded in the "Forms" section. Go to the "Forms" section and click on Directions.
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Q. Where are the classes held at S.T.C.C.
Classes are held in Building #17. The classroom is #102. In the "Forms" section you can download a campus map for your convenience.
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Q. Where do I park my vehicle while on the S.T.C.C. Campus?
Parking is at a premium while college is in session. You can park in any public parking area that is not restricted. Parking is allowed in the faculty parking areas at night and on the weekends only. Do not park in restricted areas of any type including, but not limited to, handicap designated areas, Campus Police parking, tow zones, areas designated "No Parking" and Fire lanes. Do not park in front of or block access to fire hydrants. There is additional parking located on Pearl Street and S.T.C.C. shuttle buses operate during all of the times that you will be on campus.
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Beginning the Basic Reserve/Intermittent Training
Q. What time does the first class begin?
If you are attending the Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday training classes, the first class begins at 5:30 pm. This class will include your orientation to the training program.
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Q. What time do classes start after the first day?
- Tuesday classes begin at 6:00 pm and end at 10:00 pm
- Thursday classes begin at 7:00 pm and end at 10:00 pm
- Saturday's first class begins at 8:00 am and ends at 12:00 pm
- Saturday's second class begins at 1:00 pm and ends at 4:00 pm
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Q. How many hours is the Basic Reserve/Intermittent Training?
The Basic Reserve/Intermittent training class is a combination of classroom, practical training and testing for a combined total of 154 hours of training.
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Q. Am I required to attend all classes?
It is highly recommended that all classes are attended. You are allowed to miss three (3) sessions. Keep in mind that Saturday classes count as two (2) sessions. There are mandatory classes and no certification will be given until all requirements have been met. This includes attending the minimum amount of classes, passing all written / practical tests and attending all required classes.
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Q. How will I know if classes are cancelled?
If classes are cancelled due to weather conditions all the local television channels will have this information. If the S.T.C.C. campus is closed, then classes are cancelled. This information will also be indicated on this website in the "Latest News" section. If there are any cancellations of classes, other than weather related issues, it will be posted in the "Latest News" section of the WMCOPA web page.
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Q. What additional equipment will be needed for the training?
There is training in defensive tactics & motor vehicle stops. For this training you will need the equipment listed on the "Required Equipment" list in the "Forms" section. The equipment needed for training and certification will be the equipment utilized by your sponsoring agency.
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Q. Will I receive a certificate of completion for this training?
Yes. Once all course requirements are met then you will receive a certificate from the Municipal Police Training Committee.
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