PUTNAM – Two new Putnam Police Department officers began their state Police Academy training on Friday, but in a very different environment experienced by past recruits.
Officers Nicholas Ustin and Roy Hicks were set to start the academic portion of their 24-week academy training regime inside the department’s Church Street headquarters, instead of at the Meridan site where previous classes of new recruits started their law enforcement careers.
The site modification was prompted by COVID-19 concerns that led state officials last year to allow portions of the months-long training to be done remotely. Chief Chris Ferace said he plans to make sure the in-house training is as rigorous as possible.