LYNNFIELD — A state-of-the-art police academy has come to Lynnfield. Located at the former Boston Sports Club abutting MarketStreet Lynnfield, the Municipal Police Training Committee Academy will be utilized for both existing police personnel and new recruits’ training. The first recruit classes began on Monday.
The academy welcomed recruits from neighboring communities, with Peabody sending nine, Lynn sending eight, and Saugus and Swampscott each sending one.
Lynnfield Police Chief Nick Secatore said all training will be free.
“Normally it would cost $600 per person to the department, but now it’s free,” said Secatore. “All of our staff now has access to that training when we used to have only one. We are going to take advantage of every class we can. As a small department, we don’t have unlimited budget or access, so this is huge for us. Our plan is to send every staff member of all ranks to training.”
Peabody Police Chief Thomas Griffin said the state is fortunate to have Lt. Bob Ferullo as executive director of the MPTC responsible for the development, delivery, and enforcement of training standards of municipal, MBTA, environmental, UMass, campus police officers, and deputy sheriffs performing police duties and functions.
“His vision is to have the academy running at different stages all at the same time so you can start the academy every two months instead of having to wait,” Griffin said. “Going to Haverhill isn’t a bad ride considering we used to have to go to Boylston, but being able to go to Lynnfield right next door is big for us.”
Griffin said the new facility is an upgrade from the former academy at Camp Curtis Guild in Reading.
“The Reading Academy was basically held in the barracks, which is lacking in classroom space,” he said. “In Lynnfield, we will have everything like the gym facility and equipment and the pool for training. Bob brought training into the 21st century to the point where we are miles ahead of where we were due to his hard work.”
Secatore said the academy conducted several weeks of in-service training sessions for current officers prior to the Aug. 1 recruit class. He expects the location will result in fewer disruptions to the staff.
“It’s a great location not just for our department and it’s a real training facility for the northeast,” he said. “In the past, when our staff would be at training, we had travel issues and it really handcuffed us at times staff-wise. Being located right in our back yard will reduce the adjustment we used to have to make when our officers were in training.”
The academy has more than 45,000 square feet and features a large pool that can be utilized for water-rescue training and rehabilitation for those with injuries.
The tennis courts have been converted into a large weight room with cardio equipment and a full-size gymnasium and track oval. At least four rooms have been designated for officer training. The facility is capable of conducting two or more recruit academies at the same time.
Secatore acknowledged Ferullo’s leadership has been critical.
“We now have access to better facilities, better training, more training, and that’s because of Bob,” Secatore said. “He changed the entire training for the state and brought forward the concept of what police reform is to the real thing right in front of your face. He’s more than doubled the budget and has done things that people never thought possible.
“Police reform was just a bill that passed requiring training, but this is more than that and has given us things we never had. Bob came through with what he promised and the state paid for it. The state is taking police reform seriously, which is a good thing as opposed to unfunded mandates.”
Anne Marie Tobin can be reached at [email protected].
