Strengthening a national model for excellence in law enforcement training, State Representative Michael P. Kushmerek and Senator John J. Cronin have delivered $100,000 in the FY26 budget to expand the Fitchburg State University police program through a dedicated admissions counselor. This strategic investment ensures the program—a pioneer in police education since 2014—continues to recruit and prepare the next generation of highly trained, community-focused officers.
"We are profoundly grateful to Representative Kushmerek and Senator Cronin for their steadfast advocacy and this critical investment in our university,” said Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge. “This funding allows Fitchburg State to expand the reach of our landmark police program by adding a dedicated admissions counselor. This role will be essential in helping us identify and support talented students who are called to serve and protect our Commonwealth."
The admissions counselor’s scope of work will be focused primarily on generating and managing recruitment and new enrollment efforts for this program, which allows students to complete bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice along with full certification to serve as municipal police officers in just five years.
"In collaboration with Senator Cronin, we are proud to champion a new era for the Fitchburg State police program by establishing a dedicated admissions role,” said Kushmerek. “This initiative is a strategic investment in the future of public safety, specifically designed to bridge the gap between our academy and the diverse talent within our Gateway Cities and historically marginalized communities. Our goal is to ensure that the next generation of law enforcement truly reflects the residents they serve."
“Fitchburg State’s police program has long set the gold standard for modern, community-focused law enforcement training,” said Cronin. “By securing this $100,000 investment, we are ensuring that the next generation of officers is recruited with intention and trained to meet the highest standards of public service. I am proud to partner with Representative Kushmerek to support a program that not only benefits our students but strengthens the bond of trust within our communities."
Fitchburg State University Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Franca Barricelli said that while the police program is a pioneer in modern law enforcement training, its true strength lies in its deep roots within the liberal arts.
"This is a cumulative curriculum that doesn't sacrifice our origins, but rather builds upon them,” said Barricelli. “ By grounding our students in a foundation of history, ethics, and social understanding, we are ensuring they develop the critical thinking and empathetic communication skills necessary to lead in an evolving world. This investment allows us to recruit students who will be as intellectually prepared as they are tactically ready, serving their communities with a broad worldview and a steadfast commitment to the public good."
Additionally, funds will be used to pay recent Fitchburg State University Police Academy Program graduates, some of whom work in the University Police Department, to supplement recruitment efforts.
This focused role is designed to address the unique aspects of the university’s Police Academy. The standards for entry, mandatory academic, physical fitness, training requirements, and this specific career path necessitates a focused recruitment effort distinct from general undergraduate admissions.
Building on the program’s proven track record of academic excellence and cultural impact, this new funding specifically targets long-term sustainability and strategic recruitment. This initiative represents a landmark collaboration between the university’s police and enrollment, showcasing a unique partnership where law enforcement leadership and academic administrators work in direct concert to create a recruitment pipeline that will strengthen student outcomes and redefine the future of policing across the Commonwealth and beyond.
"This funding is a testament to the academic and cultural foundation we’ve built, but more importantly, it allows us to secure the program’s future,” said Fitchburg State Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success Pam McCafferty. “By aligning our enrollment strategies directly with the expertise of the University Police, we are creating a seamless pathway for students that prioritizes both professional readiness and personal success. We aren't just recruiting students for a program; we are investing in the next generation of leaders who will carry these values into the Commonwealth’s workforce."
“By collaborating on this recruitment initiative, we are ensuring that the future of policing is built on a diverse, academically rigorous, and a broader worldview,” said University Police Chief Michael Cloutier. “This isn’t just about filling vacancies—it’s about a shared commitment to elevating the profession and serving our communities with a new standard of excellence."