Forty-seven new police officers graduated from Delaware County Community College’s Municipal Police Academy (MPA), including 21 officers for SEPTA, seven female cadets, two Amtrak officers, and one cadet each for the Chester Police Department, Villanova University Police Department, Caln Township Police department and Upper Merion Police Department.    

More than 95 percent of the municipal police officers in Delaware County and more than 75 percent of the police officers in Chester County are Delaware County Community College MPA graduates. Cadets are required to complete a 920-hour curriculum that includes extensive instruction in firearms, physical fitness, self-defense, Homeland Security, scenario training and practical exercises.

SEPTA Chief Operating Officer Scott Sauer, a 2003 alum of the College, said, “This is the largest class of recruits for SEPTA in many years, and it will increase the size of the Transit Police Department force by more than 10 percent. Thanks to the training, these new officers will be well-equipped to serve and protect our riders, employees, and the communities SEPTA serves.”