Mass. State Police announce training reforms following the death of a recruit

Massachusetts State Police announced Thursday new reforms to its police academy training program after the death of a recruit.

Enrique Delgado-Garcia, a 25-year-old from Worcester, died in September from serious injuries he sustained during boxing training at the academy in New Braintree.

In response to his death, Gov. Maura Healey directed state police Superintendent Geoffrey Noble to review the academy's training. State Attorney General Andrea Campbell also ordered an independent investigation into Delgado-Garcia's death, which is ongoing.

The measures announced Thursday include dividing the incoming class of recruits into two cohorts that train separately. One class of recruits will begin training in May, with another starting in the summer.

This round of separate classes will be a pilot program to test how it affects training. State police officials say the move will allow instructors to better address the needs of individual recruits.

The academy's boxing program, paused after Delgado-Garcia's death, remains suspended.

"We continue to mourn the loss of Trooper Delgado-Garcia and extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones," said Noble in a statement. "We remain dedicated to ensuring our Academy’s programs and training practices uphold the highest standards of safety while preparing our recruits to serve with excellence and distinction."

The agency announced it has commissioned the International Association of Chiefs of Police to conduct a review of the Massachusetts State Police training program. This will include assessments of training methods, injury and attrition rates for the last 10 classes of recruits and organizational leadership. The department said it will publicly share the findings of the review.

The department also said it would elevate the rank of the academy leader from detective to captain. Noble announced that Capt. David Pinkham will serve as the academy's new head.