The Massachusetts State Police academy reopens Monday, October 26, 2026, for the 93rd Recruit Training Troop with a set of changes the department announced on Friday, October 23. The class was put on hold so the department could carry out recommendations from an independent review ordered after the 2024 death of trainee Enrique Delgado-Garcia, who died a day after a boxing exercise at the academy in New Braintree. WCVB and Boston 25 News reported the announcement.
Here is what the department says has changed, what is still in progress, and who will be watching.
The review behind the changes
The International Association of Chiefs of Police assessed the academy and made 103 recommendations, according to Boston 25. WCVB reported that the review included observations of the 91st Recruit Training Troop, interviews with academy staff, and comparison with national standards. It found recruits put through stressful training without a clear reason, high turnover in leadership, and outdated facilities and technology. WCVB noted that a 2006 report had identified similar problems.
The department says it has carried out 22 priority recommendations and has work underway on nine more. Col. Geoffrey Noble has said he plans to implement all 103, WCVB reported. The department has hired PFM Group Consulting LLC as an independent evaluator to assess progress and provide oversight during a five-year reform process, according to Boston 25.
What is different for the 93rd class
- No more “drill instructors.” The department has dropped the title as part of what it calls a shift toward a more professional and supportive approach. About 15 sworn personnel will serve on the class leadership team, and a larger group of instructors will teach specialized subjects including defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operation, firearms, patrol procedure and criminal law.
- A stress framework. The department developed a new framework for how stress is introduced and managed in training. Dr. Jennifer Prohaska, an outside medical expert in stress training, will train academy staff and lead a session for recruits during orientation week.
- Graduation standards. The department set written graduation standards under Article 11 of its rules and regulations. Recruits must score 100 percent on written exams covering use of force, electronic control weapons, de-escalation and approved defensive tactics.
- Health and safety. The academy added concussion awareness and response training, injury prevention, expanded medical oversight and a larger medical presence, according to WCVB and Boston 25.
- Rest and contact with family. The daily schedule now includes dedicated time for rest, recovery and personal care, uninterrupted meals, and set times to communicate with family.
- New leadership. Andrea Nardone will serve as the academy’s civilian director of training, Capt. Michael Blanchette as commandant, and Dean Aresco as director of physical training, Boston 25 reported.
“We recognize that implementing these recommendations requires a sustained commitment to raising standards and challenging longstanding practices,” Noble said in a statement reported by WCVB.
The criminal cases
WCVB reported that four troopers face charges in connection with Delgado-Garcia’s death. They are presumed innocent. The academy changes are administrative and do not affect those cases, which will be decided in court.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Massachusetts State Police academy reopen?
The 93rd Recruit Training Troop is scheduled to begin Monday, October 26, 2026, after a pause to put reforms in place.
What changed at the State Police academy?
The department eliminated the drill instructor title, adopted a stress training framework, set written graduation standards requiring 100 percent on use-of-force and defensive tactics exams, expanded medical oversight and concussion training, and added rest periods and family contact. It has completed 22 of 103 recommendations from an independent review.
Why did the State Police academy pause training?
The department delayed the 93rd class to carry out recommendations from an International Association of Chiefs of Police review ordered after recruit Enrique Delgado-Garcia died in 2024, a day after a boxing exercise at the academy.
Sources: WCVB and Boston 25 News, October 23, 2026, reporting the Massachusetts State Police announcement. The four troopers charged in connection with Enrique Delgado-Garcia’s death are presumed innocent. General information, not legal advice.