The Massachusetts State Police announced a series of reforms to its recruit training program ahead of the start of its next academy class, following a months-long delay to implement changes recommended after the 2024 death of a recruit.

The department is implementing 22 priority recommendations identified in an independent assessment by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the state announced Friday.

The reforms focus on the academy’s training methods, curriculum, leadership structure and recruit safety.

“The Massachusetts State Police Academy has a unique responsibility to impart the knowledge, skills, judgment, and leadership trainees need to meet the demands of modern policing and serve the public with honor and professionalism,” Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble said in a statement. “We recognize that implementing these recommendations requires a sustained commitment to raising standards and challenging longstanding practices.”

The next academy class is set to begin training Monday.

New training methods

As part of the reforms, the department has eliminated the title of “drill instructor” as it adopts a more professional approach to recruit training.

About 15 sworn personnel will serve on the 93rd Recruit Training Troop’s leadership team, while a larger group of instructors will provide specialized training, according to the state.

Curriculum and graduation standards

Recruits will receive dedicated instruction in use-of-force policies and de-escalation techniques as part of the defensive tactics training. The academy will also establish a clearer framework for graduation standards.

Recruits will be required to score 100% on written exams to demonstrate understanding of the department’s policies and appropriate use of defensive tactics.

Recruit safety

The academy is expanding medical training to improve recruit safety and prevent injury. As part of that initiative, the state police will use Eric M. Otterson, a physician assistant and professor at Assumption University, to train academy personnel to recognize and respond to concussion-related injuries and other medical concerns.

Recruits will also have dedicated periods in the daily training schedule to rest, eat uninterrupted meals and communicate with family and loved ones.

Response to recruit’s death

The reforms were sparked by the death of Enrique Delgado-Garcia, a 25-year-old Worcester resident who died Sept. 12, 2025, after being injured during a defensive tactics exercise at the State Police Academy in New Braintree.

Delgado-Garcia was days away from graduating, and his death prompted Gov. Maura Healey to order an independent review of the academy.

That review was released in May and made more than 100 recommendations addressing the academy’s culture, leadership and training methods. The report prompted the state police to eliminate boxing as part of its training regimen.

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