Reserve Intermittent Academy > Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

 

OVERVIEW OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS

FOR

BASIC RESERVE/INTERMITTENT TRAINING PROGRAM

Completing the Basic Reserve/Intermittent Police Academy is required before you can work as a Special/Auxiliary/Reserve/Part-time/Intermittent Police Officer.

Currently the training consists of 372.5 hours and follows the curriculum developed by the MPTC.  Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and all day on Saturday.  Classes are offered in Springfield, at the Western Mass Regional Police Academy, and occasionally at satellite locations in Berkshire and Franklin counties. A minimum of 35 student officers is needed for a class to begin. Classes may also be held at other locations.

In order for you to attend an academy, you must be sponsored by a municipal or campus police chief, a sheriff, or campus/hospital security director in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. You must obtain this sponsorship yourself, and it does not guarantee employment with that or any other agency.

There is a tuition cost involved for the training.  The cost is currently $2,100  Veterans Benefits apply.  Download an application, complete it as instructed, and send a deposit of $500 for tuition with a bank check or money order to:

 

       Western Mass Chiefs of Police Association
        P.O. Box 250
        Feeding Hills,  MA 01030

 

NOTE: On lower left hand side of the outside of the envelope, mark "RESERVE PROGRAM"

The tentative dates of the Academy are generally posted on this website.  Check this site frequently for updates on upcoming training and schedule changes. There is a list of frequently asked question below. If you still have questions, AFTER you have read these FAQ’s, please complete the contact form to contact us.  

 

 

 

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?
• Do I need medical insurance to attend the training?
• What must be submitted to be accepted into the Basic Reserve/Intermittent training class?
• What is the WMCOPA phone number for the Reserve/Intermittent Academy
• Can I use my Veterans benefits to pay for tuition etc.?

Preparing for the first day of 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?

Beginning the Basic Reserve/Intermittent Training

• 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?

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Application Process

Q. How do I obtain an application?

Applications can be downloaded HERE.

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Q. Who is authorized to sign my application?

Applications must be signed by the sponsoring municipal or campus police chief, sheriff, or campus/hospital security director approved by the WMCOPA in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  No other signatures will 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:

       Western Mass Chiefs of Police Association
        P.O. Box 250
        Feeding Hills,  MA 01030

Note a $500. deposit in the form of a Department check or money order made out to the WMCOPA MUST be attached.

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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 by email from the Coordinator of Training.  This letter will be sent using the Email 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 $2,100 d includes the needed textbooks. A $500.00 deposit is required to be submitted with your application. The remaining $1600.00 is due on the first day of class. Both payments must be in the form of a bank check, money order or check from your sponsoring agency.
Payment in full MUST be received prior to the student officer beginning any training. Both payments must be made out to the WMCOPA.

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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 or checks from Police Departments.  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, money order or agency check must be made payable to the Western Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association (WMCOPA).  A deposit in the amount of $500 must be submitted with the application. The balance ($1600.00) is due the first day of class and the bank check, money order or agency check must also be made out to the Western Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association (WMCOPA).

 

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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 Criminal Procedure manual, Criminal Law manual the Motor Vehicle Law manual published by Law Enforcement Dimensions. Payment for these items is included in your tuition. Those books are yours to keep at the end of the class.

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Q. Do I need medical insurance to attend the training?

Yes.  This question is addressed on your application. Your Chief is responsible for determining if you are insured.

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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 municipal or campus police chief, sheriff, or campus/hospital security director approved by the WMCOPA in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts..
• § Bank check or money order in the amount of $500 payable to W.M.C.O.P.A. An additional $1600 is due first day of class.

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Q. What is the WMCOPA phone number for the Reserve/Intermittent Academy

At the present time we do not have a contact number at that location. Contact us via email.

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Q. Can I use my Veterans benefits to pay for tuition etc.?

Yes.  This program is qualified to be paid for by the GI Bill. The paperwork is available in the FORMS section of this site.

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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.  Download the Uniform Requirements form for the minimum uniform requirements.

Please note that at NO TIME are firearms allowed on campus.

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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.  Uniforms 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 found at the bottom of the Reserve/Intermittent Academy page.

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Q. Where are the classes held at S.T.C.C.

The classes are held in the new Western Massachusetts Police Academy Building, formerly Building # 11. On the bottom of the Reserve Academy page is an interactive campus map.

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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.  You will be issued a parking pass, which must be displayed on the dashboard of your vehicle while it is parked on campus.

ALSO, all traffic rules MUST be followed on campus, including stop signs and one way signs.

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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 6:00pm.  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 and Thursday classes begin at 6:00 pm and end at 9:00 or 10:00 pm depending on the curriculum.

§  Saturday's first class begins at 9:00 am and ends at 12:00 pm

§  Saturday's second class begins at 1:00 pm and ends at 4:00 pm

Note: Some classes may start earlier or end later, depending on schedule.  Also, if classes are cancelled, they will be re-scheduled on Monday or Wednesday nights.

For further class schedule information, see: Curriculum

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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 372 1/2 hours of training. In addition there are some assignments that must be completed outside of the academy.

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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.

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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 utilized by your sponsoring agency. Specifics will be covered the first night of class. 

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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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