The
University of Southern Maine Police Department employs a division of
sworn police officers consisting of a Chief of Police, 4 Lieutenants, 3
Sergeants, 1 Detective, 1 Manager of Training and Development and 8
Officers. All sworn personnel are certified by the Maine Criminal
Justice Academy (MCJA). When new employees are hired they must have
graduated the MCJA Police Academy or will need to attend the 18 week
police academy in Vassalboro, Maine. USM Police Officers attend the
same academy/training and are granted with the same authority to
enforce laws as County, State, and Municipal police officers do.
Each
year, officers must meet training requirements, set by the Board of
Trustees of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, to maintain their
certification. Officers are mandated to complete 40 hours of
training within 2 year training cycles. USM Officers often exceed 40
hrs in the two year training cycle due to the USM Police Department's
own requirements. Examples of training are: firearms and
qualifications, law updates, drug impairment, effects of alcohol,
incident command, computer crimes, elder abuse, domestic violence, CPR
with AED, active shooter, etc. Police officers train every year of
their career to maintain and develop their skills. Some specialize in
specific areas and some officers have also trained to become
instructors where they assist with training new and veteran police
officers.
USM officers also actively participate in community
policing which demonstrates the department's motto of "Working Together
for a Safer Community".
