QCC’s Police Academy Graduates Its First Class of Cadets

WORCESTER, MA—May 14, 2019 — On May 11, Quinsigamond Community College’s Police Academy for reserve/intermittent police officers made history when 44 cadets graduated from its inaugural program. QCC is the first community college in the Commonwealth to actually run a reserve police academy.

“This is an historic moment for the college and for communities across the state that will benefit from these graduates,” said QCC President Dr. Luis G. Pedraja. “At QCC, we stay abreast of the needs of our communities and work to tailor programs that are aligned with those needs.”

The inaugural commencement included a processional by the Police Pipes and Drums Band of Worcester; greetings from Dr. Pedraja and comments from District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.; Academy Director QCC Police Chief Kevin Ritacco; Program Coordinator QCC Detective Sergeant Joseph Cecchi; and Retired Sergeant Albert “Al” Toney of the Massachusetts State Police.

Graduates of the college’s police academy will now have the opportunity to be hired by municipal police on a part-time/intermittent capacity and will have the same police powers as full-time officers. Already some of the graduating cadets have secured positions in different departments across the Commonwealth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 7% increase in the number of police jobs by 2026.

“As an accredited academy by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission our Program Coordinator Det. Sgt. Cecchi and his staff made sure these new officers received the best training possible,” said Academy Director, QCC Police Chief Kevin Ritacco, adding, “It’s immensely gratifying to hear that our graduates are already securing employment and becoming police officers.”

Registration for the next session is now open with a maximum program capacity of 50 students. Students will be put on a waiting list once the program is filled. There will be an information session to learn more about the academy on Monday, May 20 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Harrington Learning Center, Room 109A&B, on QCC’s main campus, 670 West Boylston Street, Worcester.

An Academy Orientation Day will be held in early August and the next Police Academy session will begin on September 4.

To request an application packet or for additional information, contact QCC’s Center for Workforce Development & Continuing Education at cce@qcc.mass.edu or call 508.751.7900.