What is the Police Career Incentive Pay Program (PCIPP)?
The purpose of the Police Career Incentive Pay Program (PCIPP), or Quinn Bill, enacted in 1970 by the Massachusetts legislature, was to encourage police officers in participating municipalities to earn degrees in law enforcement and criminal justice and to provide educational incentives through salary increases.

Is there a difference between the PCIPP and the Police Career Incentive Pay Program?
No. The terms "PCIPP" and "Police Career Incentive Pay Program" mean the same thing. These two terms are used interchangeably.

How do I apply for the PCIPP?
Officers must apply for the PCIPP through the Police Department in which they are employed. Some police departments complete PCIPP paperwork through their Human Resources Departments. Other police departments complete PCIPP paperwork through their Chief's Office. Officers should contact their respective police department to find out how to apply for the PCIPP.

Do I need to apply for the PCIPP every year?
No. Officers only need to apply for approval at each incentive level. Once an officer is approved at her/his highest educational status level, he/she will be approved that incentive level. However, is he/she is upgrading from one incentive level to another, he/she will have to submit an application to be at the new incentive level. For example, if the officer is approved for the PCIPP at 10%, he/she will always be approved for it if he/she is a full-time police officer at a participating police department. If an officer is currently at the 10% level and completed her/his Bachelor degree to be at the 20% level, he/she will have to submit paperwork for this. Once the officer is approved at the 20% level, he/she will be approved for it so long as he/she is a full-time officer at a participating police department.

I am transferring to another police department that participates in the PCIPP. How do I transfer my PCIPP benefits?
The officer should speak with the PCIPP coordinator of her/his new police department. The new police department must contact the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (MDHE) to let us know that the officer has transferred to their police department. The new police department will then contact MDHE with the officer's information and the name of the last police department that he/she received PCIPP benefits from. MDHE will then physically transfer the officer's paperwork from her/his old police department to her/his new police department. MDHE will also add the officer to the roster of the new police department. This way, the officer will not need to file an application for PCIPP benefits as he/she has been approved previously. However, the officer will need to complete a new application if he/she is applying to upgrade to another incentive level.

Please note that all officers will be paid a maximum of 12 months a year. The MDHE will only reimburse the town/community for the length of time employed, regardless of the amount of benefits paid to the officer. For example, the officer's old police department may pay PCIPP benefits to the officer in a lump sum check every year. The officer's new police department may integrate her/his PCIPP benefits into her/his paycheck. The officer's old police department may have given the officer her/his incentive pay for the whole year even though he/she may have been there for less than a year.

What materials do I need in order to apply for the PCIPP?
Officers must complete an officer application, also known as Attachment A. They must also submit official transcripts from all institutions in which course credit was earned. For example, if an officer attends School A and then transfers to School B, he/she must submit official transcripts from both Schools A and B. If the transcript does not state that the officer's degree is conferred, the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (MDHE) requires that the officer also submit an original letter from the institution stating that he/she has completed all of the academic requirements for the degree. A copy of the diploma is also acceptable. All officers submitting PCIPP applications for the Fiscal Year must have completed their degree requirements by September 1st of the year to be eligible for certification.

You stated that I am missing some materials, can you tell me what I can do to make my application complete?
Please see previous question: What materials do I need in order to apply for the PCIPP?

When is the PCIPP application period?
During each summer, MDHE sends memorandums to all PCIPP participating police departments stating that the application period is open and when the deadline is. A copy of the officer application/Attachment A is enclosed in the mailing, as well as information on the online application process.

When is the PCIPP application deadline?
All PCIPP approved police departments must submit their applications and supporting materials by September 1 for each Fiscal Year.

Can we (police department) submit PCIPP applications throughout the year?
MDHE advises that police departments refrain from submitting applications to our offices outside of the application period. The certification process occurs once each year. Additionally, our office may alter the officer application/Attachment A between application periods and the police department would be required to submit the new application materials to us again. For this reason, MDHE highly discourages sending application materials outside of the application period.

What is the online application process website?
The Police Career Incentive Pay Program Administration Logon website is located at https://secure.osfa.mass.edu/police. Each police department will need their username and password to log in.

I'm having problems logging into the online application process website. The page will not load and states that I am not allowed access. What's wrong?
The Police Career Incentive Pay Program Administration application no longer uses TCP port 4443. We are now using the standard 443 port, which is transparent to most firewalls. Police departments should contact Alex Gediman at (617) 727-9420 x1319 if they are experiencing problems accessing the website.

How do I log into the online application process website?
Each police department's username and password was mailed to them along with the memo about the PCIPP application period being open. The login information is on a blue sheet of paper.

I lost my login information for the online application process website? What should I do?
Police Departments that have questions regarding login information can contact Kate Flanagan, Associate Director, at (617) 727-9420 x. 1318. If Kate is not available, you may contact Alex Gediman, Database Administrator, at (617) 727-9420 x. 1319.

I am having trouble with the online application process website. Are there any other reference materials I can read?
One may download the PCIPP Administration User Guide to assist her/him with the online application process. The document can be downloaded at https://secure.osfa.mass.edu/police/docs/pcippuserguide.pdf.

I am having problems opening the PCIPP Administration User Guide.
Your computer may not have the Adobe Reader software. You must first download and install Adobe Reader software in order to view the PCIPP Administration User Guide. One can download a free copy of Adobe Reader software at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.

Some officers are missing in the Manage Officer Records section. They were approved for the PCIPP last year, but they don't appear.
The officers are listed on the Manage Officer Records section of the application, but the names may not be alphabetized. At the top of the Manage Officer Records, there are headings for different categories. Click on the "officer full name" heading to alphabetize the Manage Officers list. The officers will appear alphabetically. If the officers are not on the list, police departments should contact Kate Flanagan, Associate Director, at (617) 727-9420 x. 1318. If Kate is not available, you may contact Alex Gediman, Database Administrator, at (617) 727-9420 x. 1319.

Some officers are still listed on the Manage Officer Records section who do not belong there. They retired or left the department a long time ago.
If an officer is still showing up on your roster who has left the department or is retired, please indicate this in the notes section and include the date the officer left the department. We will delete the officer from your roster.

How will you know when I have completed?
When you have completed your department’s data entry process you will need to click on the Submit to OSFA button that is found on the Main Menu. That will notify us that you have formally made a submittal. At the time of submittal the program performs a validation check to make sure that you have entered specific required information and you will be prompted for any missing information prior to the initial technical acceptance of the submittal. A successful initial submittal will be indicated at the top of your online Reimbursement Report with the recorded date of submittal. Further determinations will then be made before official certification.

What are the eligibility requirements for the PCIPP?
Officers must be working full-time for a police department that participates in the PCIPP. They must also be approved and certified by the MDHE through an application process. Required materials to be submitted are listed under the FAQ: What materials do I need in order to apply for the PCIPP? Eligible institutions and credentials are listed within this section. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

If I enrolled in a program on or after January 1, 2004, which institutions are PCIPP eligible?
If the student enrolled prior to January 1, 2004, he/she will be eligible if he/she attends the schools listed on the http://www.osfa.mass.edu/quinnbill/approved_schools.htm. Students enrolled in a program on or after January 1, 2004, must attend and graduate from criminal justice or law enforcement programs from these schools. The Current (New) Approved Criminal Justice Programs list is updated regularly.

If I enrolled in a program prior to January 1, 2004, which institutions are PCIPP eligible?
If the student enrolled prior to January 1, 2004, he/she will be eligible if he/she attends the schools listed on the Former (Old) Approved Programs list.

However, other students who enrolled in a program prior to January 1, 2004, at New England Association of Schools and College (NEASC) accredited institutions, may be eligible for PCIPP benefits given the following requirements:

At the Associate Degree level, the student must have successfully completed:

• no fewer than 18 semester hours or the equivalent in criminal justice and related cognates and
• coursework in some of the following content areas: Administration of Justice, Corrections, Criminology, Criminal Law, ethics, Policing, and Research and Analytic Methods.

At the Bachelor Degree level, the student must have successfully completed:

• no fewer than 30 semester hours or the equivalent in criminal justice and related cognates and

coursework in all of the following content areas: Administration of Justice, Corrections, Criminology, Criminal Law, ethics, Policing, and Research and Analytic Methods.

At the Master Degree level, the student must have successfully completed:

• no fewer than 30 semester hours or the equivalent in graduate level criminal justice and related cognate credits and
• coursework in all of the following content areas: Administration of Justice, Corrections, Criminology, Criminal Law, ethics, Policing, and Research and Analytic Methods.

I enrolled in a degree program on or after January 1, 2004. My institution isn't listed on the Current (New) Approved Criminal Justice Programs list. Am I eligible for PCIPP benefits?
No. An officer will not be eligible to receive PCIPP benefits if he/she enrolled on or after January 1, 2004, in a program that is not listed on the Current (New) Approved Criminal Justice Programs list. However, the Current (New) Approved Criminal Justice Programs list is updated periodically. The officer may wish to contact her/his school to find out if they are in the process of applying for approval from the Board of Higher Education as a Current (New) Approved Criminal Justice Program. One should check back regularly with their institution and the PCIPP website to find out if they were approved as a Current (New) Approved Criminal Justice Program.

I enrolled in a Bachelor Degree program in Criminal Justice prior to January 1, 2004, and graduated from the program. The school is out-of-state and is not a NEASC-accredited institution. Am I eligible for PCIPP benefits?
No. An officer that has enrolled in a Bachelor Degree program in Criminal Justice prior to January 1, 2004, must attend a NEASC-accredited institution as one of the eligibility requirements. He/she must also have met the academic requirements as listed in the response to the FAQ: If I enrolled in a program prior to January 1, 2004, which institutions are PCIPP eligible? in this section (ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS).

I was denied PCIPP benefits, because I am missing coursework in at least one of the content areas. Can I complete this/these courses to be eligible for the PCIPP?
No. According to the Guidelines for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Academic Programs, an officer cannot receive PCIPP benefits if he/she has not graduated from a PCIPP approved institution with PCIPP approved curriculum. MDHE cannot give the officer PCIPP benefits based on the extra coursework that he/she received as he/she was not enrolled in an approved program while he/she took this coursework.

I was denied PCIPP benefits, because I did not have enough semester hours in criminal justice or related cognates. Can I take a few extra courses to be eligible for the PCIPP?
No. According to the Guidelines for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Academic Programs, an officer cannot receive PCIPP benefits if he/she has not graduated from a PCIPP approved institution with PCIPP approved curriculum. MDHE cannot give the officer PCIPP benefits based on the extra coursework that he/she received as he/she was not enrolled in an approved program while he/she took this coursework.

I was denied PCIPP benefits. Is there anything that I can do to become eligible for the PCIPP?
Yes. An officer could enroll and successfully complete a degree in a PCIPP approved institution. Because the officer will be enrolling after January 1, 2004, he/she will have to select an institution on the Current (New) Approved Criminal Justice Programs list. Students who enroll after January 1, 2004 and complete these programs will be eligible for PCIPP benefits. Students that enroll in a NEASC-accredited law degree program and who have successfully attained their Juris Doctor will be also be eligible for PCIPP benefits at the Master Degree level. Students that wish to receive PCIPP benefits must first apply for them through their police departments and be approved by MDHE.

I have a Bachelor Degree in an area that is not related to Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement. However, I am enrolled in an approved Bachelor Degree program for the PCIPP. Will I qualify for partial PCIPP benefits?
PCIPP applications are examined on a case-by-case basis. The officer may submit a PCIPP application through the police department for which he/she works. If the officer is enrolled in an approved Bachelor Degree Program for the PCIPP and has met all of the eligibility requirements for PCIPP benefits at the Associate Degree level, he/she may be eligible to receive PCIPP benefits. To find out more about the eligibility requirements, one should read all of the FAQs in this (ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS) section.

I have a Bachelor Degree in an area that is not related to Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement. However, I am enrolled in an approved Master Degree program for the PCIPP. Will I qualify for partial PCIPP benefits?
No. According to the Guidelines for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Academic Programs, an officer cannot receive PCIPP benefits if he/she has not graduated from a PCIPP approved institution with PCIPP approved curriculum. Because the officer's first degree is in an unrelated field, he/she is required to successfully complete coursework in the approved program in which he/she is enrolled to receive PCIPP benefits. No partial PCIPP benefits will be given.

Where can I get a copy of the Guidelines for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Academic Programs?
The PCIPP coordinator at the officer's police department may have a copy of the Guidelines for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Academic Programs. You may also access a copy of the Guidelines for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Academic Programs on the website.

I am an officer in a city/town that does not have the PCIPP. I meet all of the eligibility requirements for the PCIPP other than this. Will I qualify for the PCIPP if I apply for it?
You will only be able to apply for the PCIPP through a city/town that participates in the PCIPP program. Your eligibility will be determined when you apply for the PCIPP through that city/town.

I was denied PCIPP benefits, because I have not earned at least 25% of my credit hours at my current institution. What can I do to qualify?
According to the Guidelines for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Academic Programs, an officer who entered his/her program on or after January 1, 2004, cannot receive PCIPP benefits if he/she has earned less than 25% of his/her credit hours at his/her current institution. An officer is encouraged to re-apply for the Police Career Incentive Pay Program after he/she has earned at least 25% of his/her credit hours at his/her current institution.

I was denied PCIPP benefits, because I have not earned at least 25% of my credit hours at my current institution. However, I am only applying at the 10% level for the Police Career Incentive Pay Program. Isn’t it 25% of the courses at 60 credits? Wouldn’t that mean I qualify for the benefits?
No. According to the Guidelines for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Academic Programs, Section D.6 reads: “The institution awards degrees only to those students who have earned at least 25 percent of the credit hours toward the degree through instruction offered by that institution. The institution endorses only those candidates for PCIPP benefits at the 60 plus level who are enrolled in a baccalaureate degree criminal justice program at the institution and who have earned at least 25 percent of the 60 plus credit hours through instruction offered by that institution.” The term 60 plus level refers to the total amount of credit hours you have earned. If you have earned less than 25% of your total credit hours at your current institution, you would not qualify for the Police Career Incentive Pay Program.

I enrolled in an approved institution on the Current (New) Approved Criminal Justice Programs, but did not declare a Criminal Justice major. However, I have completed all of the coursework necessary for the Criminal Justice major. Would I qualify for the Police Career Incentive Pay Program?
No. Under the Police Career Incentive Pay Program statute, “Only graduates of: (1) criminal justice or law enforcement programs that meet or exceed the guidelines for criminal justice and law enforcement programs, as set forth by the board of higher education and implemented on January 1, 2004; or (2) law schools that are New England Association of School and Colleges accredited or board approved and who have passed the Massachusetts bar examination, shall be eligible for the police career incentive pay program.” This means that only students that enroll and graduate from the approved criminal justice or law enforcement programs listed on the Current (New) Approved Criminal Justice Programs are eligible for the Police Career Incentive Pay Program. Your criminal justice or law enforcement major must appear on your transcript from the Current (New) Approved Criminal Justice Programs.

Am I eligible for PCIPP benefits at the 60 plus level if I'm currently not enrolled in the approved program?
No. The institution endorses only those candidates for PCIPP benefits at the 60 plus level who are enrolled in a baccalaureate degree criminal justice program at the institution and who have earned at least 25 percent of the 60 plus credit hours through instruction offered by that institution. Therefore, students who are not enrolled in a baccalaureate degree criminal justice program at the time they are applying for PCIPP benefits are not eligible for the PCIPP benefits.