BOSTON, MA -- The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies has awarded accreditation to the Trial Court Security Department's Court Officer Training Academy, recognizing that the Court Officer Academy has achieved professionalism standards and training in line with national law enforcement policies and best practices. The accreditation's duration is four years, during which time the Court Officer Academy must remain in continuous compliance.
"The accreditation of the Court Officer Academy is an important milestone that represents the steps the Trial Court has taken to increase the professionalism and capabilities of court officers assigned to courthouses across the state," said Trial Court Administrator Harry Spence.
"This award demonstrates that court officer hiring, promotions, and training are geared toward not only identifying the best people for the job, but also providing court officers with the right skills, knowledge, and abilities to do the job well," said Trial Court Director of Security Jeffrey Morrow. "The accreditation of our training academy by the prestigious Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies is confirmation that the training policies and procedures we use are state-of-the-art, public safety best-practices."
All newly hired court officers are required to attend the Court Officer Academy, which is eight weeks in duration and is conducted at the Massachusetts State Police Academy in New Braintree. The academy program includes about 400 hours of training that addresses the knowledge, skills, and abilities expected of a court officer. Court officers must remain overnight at the academy for the first two weeks. The training curriculum involves academics, practical skills, and requires the participation and successful completion of a daily physical fitness program. Successful completion of each aspect of the curriculum is a requirement for graduation from the academy and employment as a court officer. Since the academy’s establishment in December 2014, there have been five different sessions of the Court Officer Academy.
There are over 1,000 court officers employed by the Judicial Branch. Court officers provide security to over 100 courthouses across the Commonwealth, and are responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for the administration of justice.