By Tiffany Williams –
On Friday, May 9th, at the Dever Auditorium of Westfield State University, 44 recruits from the Municipal Police Training Committee Holyoke Police Academy proudly transitioned into the ranks of law enforcement as they officially became police officers.
These newly sworn officers have completed over 20 weeks of rigorous and standardized training that delved into every facet of modern law enforcement at the MPTC Holyoke Police Academy’s 4th Recruit Officer Class. They will now serve as full-time officers, representing an impressive collective of 22 diverse police agencies across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
“The MPTC is committed to developing highly trained, professional and community-focused police officers who are prepared to meet the evolving challenges of modern policing.” said MPTC Executive Director Colonel Rick Rathbun (Ret.). “These graduates have demonstrated dedication, resilience, and a deep commitment to service. As they embark on their careers, we are confident that the cutting-edge standardized training they have received has equipped them with the skills and knowledge needed to uphold the highest standards of public safety. We commend them on this achievement and wish them a safe, successful, and fulfilling career ahead.”
The graduation ceremony, held in the Dever Auditorium, was a celebration filled with pride as the new officers took their oath and received their badges.
The cohort of new officers hailed from various law enforcement agencies, including Agawam, Amherst College, Amherst, Brimfield, Chicopee, College of the Holy Cross, Deerfield, Great Barrington, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, Holden, Holyoke, Hopkinton, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Monson, North Adams, Northampton, Paxton, Pittsfield, Springfield Technical Community College, West Springfield, Westfield, and Westfield State University.
Among the graduates was Officer Gavin Prough, who will begin his field training program with the Amherst Police Department on Monday.
Additionally, four new officers—Robert Duffy, Nathan Kantor, Anthony Green, and Leon Spradley—are set to initiate a 12-week Field Training Program beginning Monday with the West Springfield Police Department.
A total of 400 Massachusetts police officers have graduated from MPTC-operated academies during the 2024-2025 training year.